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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiq 


ues 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  dt6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  irdiquds  ci-dessous. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


D 


D 

D 
D 


D 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul^e 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

□    Coloured  maps/ 
Cartes  geographiques  en  couleur 

□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  Mure  serr^c  peut  causer  de  i'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  lu  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 


n 
n 

n 
0 
n 
□ 
□ 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag^es 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolor^es,  tachetdes  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc..  on*.  (§t6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  faqon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commenta'res  suppl^mentaires: 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

SOX 

y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


}laire 
is  details 
ques  du 
nt  modifier 
iciger  une 
Je  filmage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

New  Brunswick  Museum 
Saint  John 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  filmd  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

New  Brunswick  Museum 
Saint  John 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


d/ 
:)u6es 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  A!l 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —»>(  meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  film^s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  ie  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmis  en  commonpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  chaque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symiiole  -^^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  itignifie  "FIN". 


aire 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film^s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film^  ck  partir 
de  Tangle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  ^  droite, 
et  da  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'ir.ti'vgcs  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
iilustrent  la  mithode. 


by  errata 
ned  to 

lent 

une  pelure, 

faqon  d 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

32X 


r : 


!'//.< 


i 


V:' 


•3S1 

s 

a 


HISTORY 


OF 


THE  LATE  WAR 

BETWEEN  THE 

UNITED  STATES  AND  GREAT  BRITAIN  : 

COMPRISINO  , 

A  MINUTE  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  VARIOUS 

MILITARY  AND  NAVAL  OPERATIONS. 


BY  11.  M.  BRACKENRIDGE. 


Battle  of  the   H'u.^-p  am'  Frulic. — I'airc  4'J. 


Sfpti)  Htiitfon,  fntpro\jcti  nutj  vcln'scti  bij  tijc  :^utljor. 

PHILADELPHIA: 

JAMES  KAY,  .TUN.  &  BROTHER,  122  CHESTNUT  STREET. 

PITTSBURGH :  JOHxN  I.  KAY  A.  CO. 

18  3  6. 


.{ 


Entered  accnidinc  to  tlic  art  of  ronuress,  in  llie  j-ear  IPSfi,  by  J 
Brotlier,  in  tliu  clerk's  ollice  of  tlie  district  court  of  the  United  Sti 


the  eastern  district  of  Pennsylvania 


amrs  Kay,  Jan.  & 
'tatcs  in  and  for  the 


m 


i[ 


Printed  and  Bound  bv 

JAMES  KAV,  Jrx.  &  BROTHER, 

Philadelidiia. 


I 


PREFACE 


lies  Kay,  Jan.  & 
E?s  in  and  for  the 


m 


The  work  now  presented  to  the  public,  after  passing 
tlirougli  five  large  editions,  has  been  for  many  years  en- 
tirely out  of  circulation,  and  it  was  with  much  didiculty 
that  a  copy  of  it  could  be  procured  by  the  publisiiers.  At 
the  lime  of  its  publication  it  was  the  only  one  calculated 
for  general  use,  and  none  has  yet  appeared  comprising  in 
so  small  a  compass  so  many  details  of  the  events  of  the 
last  war  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States. 
The  frequ.^nt  demands  for  the  work  have  induced  the 
publishers  to  prevail  on  the  author  to  revise  and  prepare  it 
for  a  new  edition  with  great  care.  This  is  now  offered  to 
the  public. 

As  to  the  merit  of  the  work,  the  reader  must  judge  for 
himself.  Its  general  accuracy  has  received  the  approbation 
of  tliose  most  capable  of  judging.  It  has  been  translated 
by  a  French  writer,  M.  Dalmas,  v/ho  speaks  in  high  terms 
of  the  energy  of  the  style,  and  the  clearness  of  the  narra- 
tive. It  has  also  been  translated  by  an  Italian  writer  of 
celebrity. 

The  design  of  the  work  was  not  a  history  of  the  times, 
embracing  (he  legislative,  diplomatic  and  statistical  sub- 
jects connected  with  the  war.  These  are  occasionally 
glanced  at.  But  it  was  the  intention  of  the  author  to 
bring  within  one  narrative,  as  far  as  it  was  practicable, 
all  the  campaigns,  battles,  skirmishes  and  incidents  which 
may  properly  be  considered  as  constituting  the  events  of  the 
icar.  In  a  popular  government  like  that  of  the  United 
States,  where  every  individual  occupies  an  important  sta- 
tion in  society,  a  war  necessarily  assumes  a  certain  cast 


ir 


PREFACE. 


of  individuality;  hence  the  necessity  of  introducing  the 
names  of  so  great  a  number  of  persons  as  we  fiad  in  this 
work. 

It  was  diHicult,  if  not  impossible,  to  weave  all  these 
materials  into  one  connected  story,  especially  when  we 
consider  that  the  war  was  carried  on  at  so  many  difli;rcnt 
points  having  no  connection  with  each  oilier.  There  was 
the  war  of  the  south,  that  of  the  north-west,  that  on  the 
Niagara,  that  along  the  seabord  at  various  points;  and 
there  was  the  maritime  contest,  which  was  entirely  distinct 
from  tiial  on  the  land.  On  the  Niagara  frontier  there  was 
much  hard  fighting;  but  every  campaign  opened  under  a 
new  general,  and  sometimes  before  its  close  that  general 
was  superseded.  After  the  fall  of  general  Pike,  the  war 
in  that  quarter  was  carried  on  without  any  settled  plan  or 
object,  and  it  ended  without  accomplishing  any  ^hing, 
except  to  afford  opportunity  to  a  number  of  ofiicers  to  dis- 
tinguish themselves  for  their  military  talents  and  intrepi- 
dity :  of  these,  generals  I^rown,  Scott,  Jesuf,  Miller, 
Ripley,  Towson,  are  among  those  most  deservedly  emi- 
nent. To  the  north-west  our  military  alTairs  were  con- 
ducted on  a  different  plan,  and  under  a  conunander  who 
was  completely  successfid  in  what  he  underlooiv  :  in  the 
south,  the  war  was  also  confided  to  a  single  individual, 
who  was  found  fully  competent  to  the  duties  assigned  him. 
Harrison  and  Jackson  are  therefore  the  only  generals 
who  can  be  said  to  have  conducted  entire  plans  of  operation 
to  a  successful  issue;  and  their  names  are  decidedly  the 
most  conspicuous  in  the  history  of  the  war. 


I 


Uicing  the 
fiad  in  this 


e  all  these 
f  when  we 
ny  cliniiicnt 
Thcie  was 
that  on  the 
points;  and 
rely  distinct 
er  there  was 
ned  under  a 
that  general 
KE,  tlie  war 
tiled  pltin  or 
any  Uiing, 
iVicers  to  dis- 
!  and  inlvepi- 
UP,  Miller, 
ervcdly  emi- 
is  were  con- 
mandcr  wiio 
ook  :  in  the 
individual, 
ssigned  him. 
nly  generals 
j  of  operation 
ecidedly  the 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 


Caiiiips  nf  the  War  with  ^'ireat  ltritaiii..l3 

KuU'  (pf  IT.'jti 14 

Urilisli  Iiiiprt'sssiiit'iit  of  American  Hea- 

HUM. m 

Attar k  nil  tl     C'lif!.sa|i('iike 19 

Diirirciices  with  France 

French  Decrees 


Eiiil)ar<;o 29 

Niiiiinterconr-io 22 

Indian  Hostilities 23 

T.eiiiiis.ii 23 

(iciii'ral  Harrison 24 

21     Battle  ot'  Tippecanoe 24 

21    War  with  Great  Uritain  inevitable 27 


CHAPTER    II. 

Ded'iration  of  War 2.-^  Takiii-  if  Mir'iiliinackinao 3-1 

General  Hull  learins  Dtvroit 31  Hattli;  u.  Ilrownstow n 35 

Cro-i^ts  into  (  aiiaila 32  It;it!|i'  of  Ma^aszua 3C 

Succes-fiil   .Skirniinhea  on   the   Uiver  'J'akinn  of  (,'hica!;() 37 

Aux  Canards 33  t^iirrendur  of  Hull 3d 

CHAPTER    III. 

Naval  Event:) 13  Cruise  of  the  Ar<;nH 48 

Cruise  of  Coiiiiiiodorc  Koiliiers 13  Tiic  L'nited  .States  captures  the  Mare- 

The  President  chases  the  lltl  videra  . . .  .14  donian 49 

Cruise  of  Captain  Mull 44  The  Wasp  captures  the  Frolic 43 

Tlie  Constitution  ci'.titnrcsthe(j!uerriere.45  .Exidoits  of  American  I'rivateers 51 

Coinniodore  Porter  captures  the  Alert..  .47  Results  of  the  \aval  Warfare 52 

Cruise  of  the  President  and  Congress..  .48  Sensations  e.\cited  in  England 53 

CHAPTER    IV. 

Military  Enthusiasm  in  the  West 53  fcecond  Expedition  to  the  Rapids  under 

General  Harris,  i  takes  coinmaiul  of  General  Tupi)er 59 

tile  Northwestern  Army 55  Foray  under  (Jeneral  Hopkins 60 

The  Army  advaii  :es  under  General  Second  Expedition  under  General  Ilop- 

Wincliesier 5G  kins CI 

Expedition  to  tiie  Rapids  under  Gene-  Defence  of  Fort  Harrison V-2 

ral  Tupner 57  Expedition  under  Colonel  Russell C3 

Failure     of    the     Expedition    to    tlie  Expedition  under  Colonel  Caiiiphell. ..  .Q 

Rapids 5i?  Security  ol'the  Frontier  established 04 

CHAPTER    V. 

Troops  on  the  Canada  Frontier 04  Abortive  attempt  of  General  Smyth 71 

Capture  of  the  Caledonia , 05  Northern  Army  73 

Battle  of  Uueenstown 00  lncnr»i>n  of  Forsytli— of  Colonel  Pike., 74 

Death  of  (;ineral  '.irock 08  War  on  the  Lakes 75 

British  bombard  Fort  Niagara 7U  First  Cruise  of  Commodore  Chauncey .  .75 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


I 


r- 


i; 


III 


CHAPTER    VI. 

Meeting  orConcrcHS 70  War  with  the  Hoiittn-rn  Indians 80 

rropos.'il  for  an  Arinistire 77  'JVciiinsch'.i  \'i:<it  to  ilie  Cnik.-i ^1 

RevtrsfH  ciC  Naiioinin 78  War  with  tlic  .-'iniindhH &2 

Mcnsurfs  fur  rarryint' on  tiii^  \Var 7i)  'J'hird  Victory  over  a  Itritish  rrinatc...  .84 

Dlockudc  of  our  Counts 71)  IJisasiirB  of  our  Anns  to  tlic  West HG 

CIIAPTKR    VII. 

Unrrison  rt'lurnH  to  Ohio tlC  Iluinano  Conduct  of  tiif  I'coplt!  of  Dc- 

Ceniral  AVinclirstcr  semis  a  Dctarh-  troit Ki 

menl  to  liir  relief  of  I'ri  in  hto\vn...l-i7  March  of  (ieneral  Harrison 94 

Defeat  of  the  Itritish  and  Indians b8  ^ieue  of  Fort  Meius 95 

Winciiester   arrives  with    Reinforce-  Defeat  of  Colonel  Dmlhy !t7 

meiits 88  Sortie  under  (.'olonel  Miller 97 

Surreniler  at  tlie  Iliver  Raisin 89  fiege  of  Fort  Meiys  raiised 98 

Cruelty  of  the  Uritisli  and  Indians !l()  E.xidoit  of  Major  Itall 100 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

British  Treparations  in  Canada 100  Repulsed  by  General  Brown 117 

Incursion  of  Forsytii HH  Residual  inn  of  (Genera I  Dearborne 119 

Attack  on  ( tiidensliuryh Jul  Town  of  Sodus  atl:i(  keil 119 

General  Pike IU'2  Adair  at  Reaver  Dams 119 

Taking  of  York IO:t  Lieutenant  I'.liliidiie 120 

Explosion  of  a  Majiazine UCt  Indians  enter  the  American  S?ervice.  ..IQO 

Death  of  IMke Id:.  Rritisli  attack  filack  Rock 1-JO 

Taking  of  Forts  CeorL'e  and  lOrit? Jos  Second  'J'akiii!.'  of  V(uk 121 

Ilatlle  of  Stony  Creek 112  Rritisli  devastate  the  Rorders  of  Lake 

Capture  of  Generals    Chandler    and  Cliamidiiin 121 

Wimler Ill  Cruise   of  Coinnioilore  Cliauiirey  on 

British  attack  Sackett's  Harbour I  u;  Lake  Ontario 12^2 


I      ! 

1 1  i ;    i 


CHAPTER    IX. 

War  on  the  Coast 12:)  Southern  Cities  threatened 129 

British  attack  i-ewistown 121  Attack    on   Crane)    Island— ^-allatitly 

Gun  Boats  attack  some  British  A'essels  repulsed 129 

of  War 12.'>  Ilainpiou  assaulted  and  plundered 131 

Exploits  of  Admiral  Cockhiirn 12.')  Enormities  (om  mil  ted  then' 131 

Attack  on  Frenchtown' 12G  Correspondence  bet  ween  General  Tay- 

Plundering  and  Burning  of  Havre  de  lor  and  SirSydiiiy  Beckwith 132 

Grace 12G  Cockburn  plunders  the  Coast  of  North 

Plundering  and  Burning  of  George-  Carolina 133 

town  and  Fredcrickfown 128  Blockadeof  the  American  Siimidron  at 

Arrival  of  Admiral   Warren  tind   Sir  Xew  London  b\  Commodore  llardj  131 

Sydney  Beckwith 128  Tori.edo  System 134 

CHAPTER    X. 

Naval  Affairs.., 135  Captain  Lawrence   appointed  to  the 

The  Hornet  captures  the  Peacock 13U  Chesapeake 137 

Humane    and    generous    Conduct   of  The  Siiannon  challenges  the  Chesa- 

Captain  Lawrence  and  the  Crew  pcake 138 

of  the  Hornet 137  The  Shannon  captures  the  Chesapeake.  139 


II   \ 


CONTENTS. 


VII 


, eo 

SI 

fe2 

Ji.':iU'....e4 

■f8t b6 

(pf  Uc- 

93 

94 

95 

97 

, 97 

98 

100 

117 

ntiir 119 

119 

119 

120 

:,'.rvicc...l-20 

1-20 

121 

of  Lake 
101 

llCtV    Ml 

,.". i^n 

129 

■iiliantly 

129 

crud 131 

131 

1  a  1  T:\y- 

Mth 132 

ui  North 

, 133 

liidron  at 
n-  Hardy  134 
134 

d  to  the 

, 137 

V  Chesi- 

, 138 

f£ai)eake.l39 


■i 


Dtatli  of  Caiitaiii  Lawn  lue 139  CruiHf  nf  the  CotiKreiia 143 

Thf  rt'llcan  raiittirtHlhi- Arpin 141  t'oiulutt  nf  Aiiitrlcnrj   rrivatitTH— of 

Criiinf  of  Commodore  Torfer  In  the  thf  I'oiiul— of  thi'  (Jciii'ral  Arm- 

Hoiith  Scan 2  titroiilf 144 

The  Eiit<rpri/.t!  rn|iliir<'s  the  Hoxir....I42  Tin-   rrivaiccr    Decatur  rniituno  ilu' 

Cruiti)'  of  Commodore  Uodgers 143  I)oiiiiiil(a 144 

CHAPTER    XI. 


AfnUra  of  the  West M.'j 

ratriotic  Ciitliusiasiaof  Oliioniid  Keii- 

tiitky 1  !.'< 

CJovernor  Silielliy 1  Hi 

Cliaracter  ofilif  Keiitin  kiaiis 1 10 

(jallaiii  Mcfcnrc  of  I'ort  Saiidu.-^ky  by 

Major  Cruiihaii I  17 

Iluinaiii'  (.'oiidiirt  ol'liie  Itesieged 11; 

'I'erumsih   raiseg  the    ^iei'i'  of   Fort 

Mrif-s 149 

Naval  i're|iar'iiio>iM  on  Lake  Erie 149 

Commodore  I'erry  sails  with  his  ri"et..ll9 

Itatllc  of  Lak'   llrie I.'jO 

Gallant  lleltav  Kuir  ;)f  Perry loO 

Capture  of  the  Enemy's  tiquadron IJl 


iNortliwestern  Army  reinforced I.'jI 

Capture  of  Maiden I.VJ 

Skunii>li  at  (hat  ham \'>2 

llattle  of  tlie  Thami  h 163 

Capture  of  ihe  llriiish  Re-jnlars IM 

Colonel  Jidihsim  Wounded ITtl 

J)(  atli  of  'I'ei  umseh , IM 

Character  oi Tedim-eh l,').'j 

Escape  of  (ieiu'ral  I'roctor 1.% 

I'uhlii; 'I'e^timonial.s  of  Uespect  to  (jJen- 

eral  Harrison I5C> 

Generous  'I'reainient  of  the    Dritisli 

Prisoners— of  the  Savat't  s IJ7 

Correspondence  liv.iw  i  en  (General  Har- 
rison and  General  Vincent l.'<7 


CHAPTER    XII. 

Preparations  lor  invadiiij:  Canada lo-i    IUi)tilses  then'  ••nd  retreats lljti 

General  Armstrong  api)ointed  t^ecre-  His  lnal)ility  oi   liiwillintMiess  to  cc>- 

tary  of  War Lid  oi»rate  with  < General  Wilkinson  . .  I(j7 

General  Wilkinson  takes  command  of  Both  Anieriran  Armies  j;o  into  Winter 

the  Trooiis  on  tin;  ?siai.'ara,  and  liuarters KIT 

General     Hampton     of    ihose    at  Failure  of  the  Expedition  ayjiinst  Moii- 

Plattsl)ur!.' ir)9  I  real It57 

Uendezvous  of  the  American  Forces  Cruise  of  Commodore  Ciiaunccy  on 

at  Grenadier  Island IGO  Lake  <  Hitarii 1G8 

General   Wilkinson   descends  the  St  He  cajitures  five  armed  liritish  ."Schoon- 

Lawrence IHI  ers li;;) 

Uritish  harass  the  Ami'ricau  Army  ....li'2  IlurniiiL'of  .Newark  hy  the  Amer>''ans.  .170 

Battle  of  Clir\  >tler's  Field 1G4     British  Itetalialion ITd 

General  Hamilton  descends  the  Clia-  Fort  .Niagara  surprised 171 

teaiiiray  Ivi\  er HiG  Destruction  of  Lew  istown,  Bulfalo and 

Is  attacked  hy  tlie  British IC'G  other  places 171 

CHAPTER    XIII. 


Meetinc  of  Congress 172 

Violence  of  I'arty  .Spirit 172 

Unfriendly  Deportment  of  the  New 

Endand  .'^tateis 173 

Measures  for  carrying  on  the  War 174 

Recourse  to  Taxation 174 

Adoption  of  niians  for  recruiting  the 

Army 175 

Interesting  case  of  twenty-tliree  Ame- 
rican Prisoners 175 


Arrouance  of  the  British  Government.  .J7G 
Debates  in  Conjrress  on  the  suliject. . ,  .17ti 

Result  of  the  Debates 177 

Lnpiiry  by  CmiL'ress  into  tlie  manner 
in  which  the  War  had  been  carried 

on  by  the  Enemy 178 

American    Commissioners    of    Peace 

sent  to  (^ottenburg 179 

The  War  gains  ground  in  Public  Opi- 
nion   179 


viri 


CONTENTSi. 


i 


1 


CIIAPTKR    XIV. 

War  with  tlu;  t'n  rk  Iiulianx l^^O    General  Jackxon  marriirs  to  (he  relief 


MiWMiuri'  liy  tlierrtekH  at  Fort  .MiniN..loO 
Ex|ie(litiiiii   iiiiticr  (loiierals    Ja(  kHoii 
aiiiK-'ixkr  nifuinst TallttMliatclies..l83 

Uattli'  1)1'  Tiilladi'un lcf'2 

Ueiieral  C'ik  ke  HiirpriHCH  the  Iiidiaim 


of  Fort  Ariii!<tr(itii; 184 

Ills  Critic  al  Sitiiatidii,  aiul  Uitreat . . .  .li^  I 

DefeatH  an  Inillan  Aniliu^rade le*6 

liidiuiH  attack  (ieiieral  Floyil  at  Cniiip 

DtiiaiK  (',  ami  are  repulsed Ie5 


on  the  Tal1a|Hiii8a  Kiver 183  General  JarkHon  uaiim  llie  flatiKtiiiiary 

General   Floyd's    Expedition    against  Victory  of  llorHeShoenitnl ISO 

the  Aiilossee  'i'owiH IriJ  Terminates  the  War  with  the  Creeks, 

Cluihorne's    Kxpedition    against    the  an<l    dictatcH   I'eace  to  them  on 

Towuu  of  Eccunuctiucu Iti3  Severe  Tcrm^ US 


CHAPTER    XV. 


i  ■ 

I 


I'lans  of  Op(  rations  against  Canada 

proposed 189 

General  Urowii  marchen  to  Sackett'a 

Harhour 189 

(ieiieral  Wilkinson   retireu  tu  I'latts- 

biirg 190 

Attacks  tlie  Krilish  at  La  Colle  and  is 

repuls(<l rjo 

i^iispcnded  from  the  command 191 

Discouraging  ditticultiei)  in  the  Econ- 
omy of  the  Army 101 

t^muggling 19-J    Attack  on 

rnsucces^ful  Attack  hy  the  Uritish  at  Ferry 

Otter  Creek 100     Engagement  in  Loiil'  Isiaiid  Sound 

British  Fleet  enters  Luke  (,'hainidain.  .103    Uavagcs  at  Wareham  and  l^ciuiate.. . . 

Lake  Ontario — Contest  for  Superiority  .193    Attack  on  Booth  Hay  rei>elled , 

Gallant  Defence  of  Oswego 101     Occupation  of  all  the  Islands  in  I'as- 

British  land  at  I'ulteneyville 101  samaipuiddy  Hay  hy  the  llriiish.... 

Blockade  of  Sackett's  Harbour 194    Gallant  defence  of  Stonington 

Engagement  at  i^aiuly  Creek  and  Cap-  Territory  east  of  t/u'  Penoliscot  Kiver 

ture  of  the  British  there 193  claimed  and  occujiied  liy  the  lint- 

I»eatli  of  Colonel  Forsylhe — of  Captain  isli 

Malloux,  in  a  ^*kirhlish 19G    Destructionof  the  Frigate  John  Adanih, 


C(donel  Camphell'H  Exp»'dition  against 
Dover,  i'anada 

Affairs  to  the  Westward 

Colonel  Baiiliee  taken  Prisoner 

Gallant  Defence  hy  Captain  llolnu'S.., 

Serious  Crisis  in  our  Alfairs 

Nap(deon  overthrown 

(•reat   Britain    directs    her  undivided 
Energi»;s  auainst  the  Cnited  t^tales, 

Northern  Sea  Coast  invaded  hy  Com- 
modore [lardy 

a)  brook  and  Brock  way's 


190 
197 
197 
107 

\W 
VJ'J 

•2W 
20U 

•Mi 
201 
•Mil 
201 

20i2 
20-3 


203 
203 


CHAPTER    XVI 


I 


Naval  Events 204 

The  I'lantagenet  Seventy-Four  de- 
clines a  Contest  with  Coniniodorc 
Rodgers 204 

Captain  Stewart  chases  a  Britisli  Frig- 
ate of  eiiual  force 204 

Cruise  of  Commodore  I'urter  in  the 
Essex 205 

He  captures  twelve  armed  Britisli 
Whale  Ships 2ii,'> 

Arrives  at  the  Island  of  Nooalieevaii..  .2j.j 

Takes  possession  in  the  nanii-  of  tiie 
American  Government 205 


His  Dilliculties  with  the  Savages  there.  .205 

He  burns  the  Typee  Villages 200 

British  Abuse o(X) 

Commodore  I'orlcr  arrives  at  Valpa- 
raiso  207 

Is  attacked  by  the  Plnebe  and  Clierub.  .208 

His  Des|)erate  Resistance 209 

Capture  of  tile  Essex  and  Essex  Junior.. 210 
The  Peacock  captures  the  Britisli  Brig 

Epervier 211 

The  \\'asp  captures  the  Reindeer 212 

The  Wasp  sinks  the  Avon 212 

Mysterious  Loss  of  the  Wasp 213 


CONTENTS. 


IX 


ho  relief 

184 

iriat  ....li^l 

, lt<6 

nt  Cninp 

.1 165 

imuiiiiity 

■ml leO 

■  (.'rffkH, 

tluiii   oil 
168 

Ml  UgUillHC 

I9l> 

1!I7 

Mr I'-'V 

II(.llllL'8...1»7 

IW 

.'. 1*J'J 

umlivuUd 

itfilHliitcs.OW 
(1  Ipy  (.'iiiii- 

mi 

roikwiiy's 

-Mi 

I  Sound.... '-201 
«(iluiUi'....'ii>l 

.(1 201 

ids  ill  i'as- 

I?riti!^L....20-i 

1 20-3 

cot  UiV(T 

y  tlie  lirit- 

'Mi 

uliii  Adams  ,yu3 

aces  then'..  205 

f^ 20(j 

2(X5 

;U  Valpa- 
207 

indCli.riili..2u8 
'iU'J 

^^Hl■x  Junior.  .210 

Ihitisli  Brig 

211 

iiuKt-r 212 

1 212 

asp 213 


Cruli.-  of  the  Fr»'»ild<nt,  the  Prnrork  The  Mi.rint,  Caidiiiii  lluldU',  rnpturrn 

nnd  Ihf  llf.riift aia  Hi''  IV  nu'iin 210 

Tli»'  rrenidcnt  rnptiircd  by  a  llritinh  ExploltM  of  rrlvut«'crn 'il7 

Htpiadron 911  Capturi'    of  tlm   ,\mfrlrnn    PrivaliM'r 

TlifCJoiiHtitiitioiiinBnBi'HHndrapluri'M                   ArinHtrmiB,  nftrr  a  drrndfiil  t'ar- 
tlie  Cyaiio  luid  tin-  U'vunt 215  naxn  idtliti  Eiii-niy Q17 

ClIAPTHR    XVII. 

rian    of  rampaimi    on    ilic    I'anada  rrojrcti'd  Attack  on  niilfalo  ri|iulHtul..a.T2 

rnmlii  r 2lrt  (Juncral  (Jalntuni'.xuimiitlH'Coniiiiand 

(ifiiiral  Ilriiw  II  <idli(is  an   Army  at  at  I'urt  l!ric SM 

Itlark  liiii  k  ami  llull;il 21!)  Ansanlt  upon  Fnrt  Krlr -JXl 

Cnplurt-4  Kurt  r.rii- 'Jl'J  I>iaili  of  ('iilomi  Drummoml >.>;)1 

IJatllr  (ifCiiippfwa ii-JO  'rrcmi'iidiiiiH  Kxplosion :.';).'') 

Gallaiitr)  (if  .M.ijdr  Ji  Hill) •,>'.'l  Tlir    nislririTs  driven    lia(  k   tn  tlicjr 

llrilisli  rtlitat '.»•.'■>  \\'urks  Si'} 

Amcriran  Army  advanri's -J-.'-i  Kcmw  al  til'ljic  Caiinoiiadt'    -Jill^ 

Dcatli  iif  (Hinral  .'^wiit -JJJ  Sordr  fmrn  Fnrt  Krir SM 

.Miivniinit  on  I'drt  (icnrL'f •-'.'^I  Distrmlinii  of  tlic  lliiriii)  's  Works. . .  .-jljT 

(Icmiai  llrowii  retreats  to  tlie  riii|i-  I'rilisli  raise  tlie  ."^iece  and  ritreat  lo 

p(  wa -.'v!:!  I'ort  (Jeorue •i;W 

Katile  of  NiML'ara 2"JI  Arrival  of  Ceinral  l/.ard  al  ''ort  I'.rie.  .-.'lis 

(ieiieral  Kiall  laken  rrisuiiur iiv!.")  Americans  advance aloimt lie  Niagara.  .-XM 

(;olonel  Jesiip :,'J''>  Kll(.'aL'emenl  at  l.yon'rt  Creek 'JM 

(.'oJoiK  I  .Mill(  r ■-•■Jii  Destriutioii  of  Fort  Erie  by  the  Anicri- 

ilritish    (,'annon    ( liariied     upon    and  cans -SM 

taken -J-JT  Kvaciialioii  of  I'|i|)er  Canada 'SJ<t 

Desperate  r.doris  of  tlie  llritisli  to  re-  The  Army  retires  into  Winter  (iuar- 

paiii  tlieir  (,'aiiiion 'J2-<  ters JKi 

(lOiierals  Scott  and  Mrown  w  oiimled..  .-J-i-^  Important  Results  of  the  Campaign..  ..!>  Id 

Hrilish  retire  from  tin;  Fitdd 2''0  Alia  Irs  of  the  We>t on 

Uritisli  ad\aiice  a;:aiii   the  Adiowiiit;  I'lisucci'ssful  Expedition  against  Mi- 
Morn  inu'  2:U  rhilimackinac •)|| 

Americans  retreat  to  I'ort  F.rie 2;U  Capture  of  two  I 'nited  i^tateti  >Schoon- 

Defences  of  Fort  Erie  enlarged  and  ex-  ers o.ji 

tended 2:u  (;Lneial   M'Arthur'a   Expedition   into 

Siege  of  Fort  Erie viit-J  Canada Qll 


CIIAPTE 

War  on  the  f?ca  Coast 2 1-2 

EngaL'ements  lietween  the  Enemy  and 
Harney's    tlotilla    in    Chesapeake 

Bay 212 

riunderiiiL's  of  the  British 2  l.'i 

Washington  ami  Baltimorethreateiied.. 2 i;t 

Preparations  for  Defence 211 

General   Winder    appointed   to    com- 
mand the  Troops  to  be  assembled.  .245 
Impracticability  of  collecting  a  suffi- 
cient Force 2 15 

Arrival  of  Reinforcements  to  the  Brit- 
ish   246 

Landing  of  the  British  Army  under 

General  Ross 246 

Advance  of  the  British  on  Washington. 247 


R    XVIII. 

American  Army  takes  post  at  Bladens- 

InirL' 24« 

Battle  of  lUadensbiirg 24!) 

Defeat  of  the  Americans 250 

\\'asliiniiton  abandoned  to  the  Enemy.. 251 

British  burn  the  Public  Buildings 252 

Retreatofthe  British  to  theirShipping.  .2,52 

Plunder  of  Alexandria , 253 

Repulse  of  the  British  at  Moors  Fields, 

and  Death  of  Sir  Peter  Parker 254 

Resignation  of  the  Secretary  of  War... 254 
Trial  and  Ac(iuittal  of  General  Winder. 254 
Letter  of  Admiral    Cochrane  to  the 

American  Secretary  of  State 255 

His  Reply 255 

Reflections 256 


CONTENTS. 


m 


CHAPTER    XIX. 


Sensations  protluccd  by  the  C.iptiire  of 
Washington  in  Euroin;  and  in 
England 2;'>7 

Effect  of  it  in  the  United  States 2.57 


Britisli  fleet  retires  to  the  West  Indies.  .205 

Atiairs  on  the  Northern  Frontier 2G6 

Invasion  of  New  York   State  by  the 
llritish  under  Sir  Georce  Prevost .  .200 


l're|)arati<ins  for  defendint;  Baltimore.. 258    Pro^i-ss  of  tlie   British    impeded   by 

AdniirnI     Cociiiane    apjiears    at    tlie  General  Macomb 207 

moiitli  of  tlie  Patapsco 259    Britisli  Army  occupies  Plattsburir  op- 


Uel)arkati(in  of  the  British  Troops  at 

North  Point 200 

General  Strieker  marches  from  Balti- 
more to  meet  them 900 

Battle  of  North  Point 3(11 

Death  of  General  lloss -Jiil 

Retreat  of  the  American  Army 202 

British  Army  ai)pearsbi'('ore  lialtimore..2li3 

Bombardment  of  Fort  .M'llenry 204 

Attack  on  Baltimore  abandoned 205 


posite  tlie  American  Works 208 

Gallant  Enterprise  of  Captain  51'Glas- 

sin 20y 

Rritisli  and  American  Fleets  on  Lake 

Champlain 20'J 

Battle  ot'  Lake  Champlain 2tO 

Defeat  of  the  British  S(piadron,  and 

Capture  of  its  principal  \'ess»ls.. .  .271 
Retreat  of  the  British  Army  trom  tlie 

American  Territory 272 


CHAPTER    XX. 

Cnanimiiy    of    Sentiment    in    Con-  British  Forces  lanii  within  seven  Miles 

cress 273  of  New  ( )rleans 2>2 

Negotiaiions  with  Great  Britain 273  Battle  of  the  '2M  of  December 2f2 

British  Sine  Una  Non 274  Results  of  the  Battle 283 


Hartford  Conve'nii  n 


.275    General  Jackson  encamps,  and  fortifies 


Mr  Biddle's  Reiiort  in  tlic  Legislature  himself 283 

of  Pennsylvania 275  Aifairs  of  the  2Mhof  December,  and  of 

Kcinoval  of  the  Seat  of  Government  the  1st  of  January  l-lo 284 

from  ^Vasllulgton  agitated 275    Position  of  the  American  Troops 285 


Mr  Dallas  appointed  Secretary  of  tho 

Treasury 27.! 

Improvement  in  our  Finances 270 

Afiairs  to  tlie  Southward 270 

Attack  on  Fort  Bowyer  most  gallantly 

repulsed 277 

Inroad   into  Florida,  aiul  Capture  of 

Pensacola  by  General  Jackson  . . .  .277 
Invasion  of  Louisiana  meditated  by 

the  British 278 


Britisli  prepare  to  storm  the  American 
Works  on  Imth  sides  of  the  Missis- 
sippi   285 

Memoralile  Battle  of  the  8th  January  .  .285 

Death  of  General  Packenham 280 

Defeat  and  Terrible  Carnage  of  the 
British  on  the  Lett  Bank  of  tlie 

River 28^ 

Americans  driven  trom  their  Intrench- 
nients  on  the  Right  Bank 28- 


Preparations  for  Resistance 279    Louisi:'<na  evacuated  by  the  British 2t . 


Arrival  of  General  Jackson  at  New 
Orleans 280 

His  Presence  inspires  Confidence 280 

British  Fleet  arrives  otfthe  Coast 280 

Capture  of  tli<!  American  Gun-Boats. .  .260 
Martial    Law    declared    by    General 
Jackson.  - 281 


Unsuvcessful  Bombardment  of  Fort  St 

Philip  by  the  British 287 

Depredations    of  Admiral    Cockburn 

along  the  Southern  Coast 288 

Peace  with  Great  Britain 288 

Terms  of  the  Treaty 288 

Conclusion 289 


ERRATUM. — M  line  3  of  page  13,  and  line  1  of  page  44,  for  captures 
7'cad  chases 


i 


I 


eWcst  Indies.. 2Gj 

I  Frontier 206 

k  s«tate  by  tlie 
Jeorce  Prevost .  .2CG 
h    impeded  by 

207 

;  Plattsbura  ('i>- 

in  Works 203 

L'aptiiin  M'Olas- 
QO'J 

Fleets  oil  Lake 

20'J 

lain 2:i> 

f^iliiadriin,  and 
Rjpal  Vtssil!'....2Tl 

Ariuv  iViini  the 
ry...." -272 

itliin  seven  Miles 

OiO 

lecember 2?2 

2e3 

uips,and  lortifies 

283 

December,  and  of 

l-lo 284 

can  Troops 280 

Irni  tlie  American 

Ide:-  of  the  Missis- 

285 

he  Sth  January  .  .285 

kenhain 38t> 

I'lirnase  of  the 

lit  Bank  of  the 
2^6 

Im  their  Iiitreiich- 

ht  Bank 28- 

liy  the  British 2t . 

dnient  of  Fort  St 

i.h 287 

iuiral    Cockburn 

rn  C.iast 288 

tain 2t8 

288 

H'J 


\c  44,  for  captures 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


HISTORY    OF    THE    WAR 


CHAPTER  I. 


Causes  of  the  War  with  Great  Britain— Rule  of  1750— British  frnpressinentof  Ameri- 
fan  Seamen— Attack  on  the  Chesapeake — Differences  with  France — French  Decrees — 
Embargo — Non  Intercourse — Indian  Hostilities — Tecumseh— Oeneral  Harrison — Bat- 
tle of  Tippecanoe — War  with  Great  Britain  inevitable. 

The  perseverance  of  tlie  Britisli  nation  in  attempting  to  exer- 
cise a  power  witliout  right,  over  her  American  brethren,  first 
broke  the  ties  of  dependence,  whicli  it  was  so  much  her  interest 
to  preserve ;  and  her  subsequent  illiberal  policy  tended  to  weaken 
the  influence  of  affinity,  which  a  true  wisdom  would  have 
taught  lier  to  cherish.  Why  is  it  that  the  enmity  of  those, 
between  whom  there  are  by  nature  the  most  numerous  bonds 
of  friendship,  is  the  most  bitter  ?  It  is  because  each  oi  these 
is  a  distinct  cord  which  may  vibrate  to  the  feelings  of  hatred, 
as  well  as  of  love.  With  China,  with  Turkey,  with  France, 
we  maybe  governed  by  temporary  and  varying  policy;  but 
towards  England  we  can  never  feel  indifference.  There 
always  have  been,  and  there  still  are  numerous  ties  to  attach 
us  to  Britain,  which  nothing  but  an  ungenerous  and  unnatural 
policy  can  weaken  or  destroy. 

With  the  acknowledgement  of  our  independence,  Great 
Britain  did  not  renounce  her  designs  of  subjugation.  Force 
had  been  found  unvailing,  she  next  resolved  to  try  what  might 
be  done  by  insidious  means.  For  many  years  after  the  peace 
of  1783,  our  afllairs  wore  no  promising  appearance.  The  con- 
federation which  bound  the  states  during  their  struggle  against 
a  common  enemy,  was  too  feeble  to  hold  them  togetlier  in  a 
time  of  peace.     The  cement  of  our  union  being  thus  eaten 

B 


J 


:|i!i 


14 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


i' 


Causes  of  the  War  with  Great  Britain Rule  of  1750. 


away,  England  foresaw  what  wc  liad  to  encounter,  and  pro- 
phesying according  to  licr  wishes,  solaced  herself  with  'he 
hope  of  seeing  us  divided,  and  engaged  in  civil  broils.  The 
seeds  of  dissension  had  been  abundantly  sown;  our  state  ol 
finance  was  deplorably  defective ;  it  might  almost  be  said,  that 
the  nation  was  at  an  end,  for  so  many  jarring  interests  discov- 
ered themselves  in  the  states,  as  almost  to  preclude  the  hope 
of  reducing  these  discordant  elements  to  harmony  and  order. 
A  state  of  anarchy  and  civil  war  might  restore  us  to  Great 
IJritain.  Happily  for  America,  she  possessed  at  this  moment, 
a  galaxy  of  sages  and  patriots,  who  maintained  a  powerful  in- 
lluence  over  tiie  minds  of  their  fellow-citizens.  By  tlieir  exer- 
tions, a  spirit  of  compromise  and  accommodation  was  introduced, 
which  terminated  in  our  present  glorious  compact — a  second 
revolution  which  secured  to  us  the  benefits  of  the  first. 

By  this  event  CJreat  Britain  lost,  for  a  time,  the  opportunity 
of  tampering  with  the  individual  states,  of  fomenting  jealousies, 
and  of  governing  I)y  division.  Her  policy  was  changed  ;  it 
became  a  favourite  idea,  that  our  growth  should  be  repressed, 
and  so  many  impediments  tlirown  in  our  way,  as  to  convince 
us,  that  we  had  gaiiieil  nollii ng  in  becoming  free.  We  soon 
experienced  the  eflects  ol"  her  disaj)j)ointment.  Contrary  to 
express  stipulation,  she  refused  to  surrender  the  military  posts 
on  our  western  froiuier,  and,  at  the  same  time,  secretly  instiga- 
ted the  savages  to  murder  the  frontier  settlers.  Spain  was,  at 
this  very  moment,  practising  her  intrigues  to  draw  olT  the  west- 
ern states  from  th.e  confederacy  ;  of  which  there  is  little  doubt 
England  would  soon  have  taken  advantage. 

But  we  also  came  iii  eo.:tact  with  Britain  on  the  ocean  :  our 
commerce  began  to  fiourish  ;  and  on  the  breaking  out  of  the 
French  war,  she  found  in  us  formidable  rivals.  In  order  to 
put  a  stop  to  our  competition,  she  called  into  life  the  odious, 
and  almost  obsolete  rule  of  1750,  which  is  in  palpable  violation 
of  the  law  of  nations.  'J'he  spiritof  this  rule  is  to  prevent  the 
neutral  from  enjoying  any  commerce,  which  would  not,  at  the 
same  time,  be  open  to  the  belligerent ;  in  other  words,  to  per- 
mit no  neutral.  In  practice  it  was  carried  to  the  full  extent. 
The  orders  in  council  of  the  8th  of  January  1703,  became  the 
source  of  a  thousand  vexations  to  American  commerce;  and  vet 
they  were  in  a  manner  tolerable,  compared  to  those  of  the  6tli 
of  November,  which  were  secretly  circulated  among  the  British 
cruisers,  authorising  them  to  capture  "  all  vessels  laden  with 
the  produce  of  any  of  the  colonies  of  France,  or  carrying  pro- 
visions or  supplies  to  the  said  colony."  The  greater  part  of 
our  commerce  was  at  once  swept  from   the   ocean.     On  tliis 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


15 


750. 

and  pro- 

with  'he 

ills.     The 

ir  state  of 

said,  that 

its  discov- 

tlie  hope 
and  order. 
3  to  Great 
s  moment, 
»wcrful  in- 
thoir  cxer- 
inlroduced, 
— a  second 

rst. 

opportunity 
jealousies, 

hanged  ;  it 
repressed, 

to  convince 
We  soon 

Pontrary  to 
itary  posts 

2tly  instiga- 

)ain  was,  at 
tT  the  west- 
little  doubt 

ocean :  our 
r  out  of  the 
order   to 
the  odious, 
le  violation 
prevent  the 
not,  at  the 
rds,  to  per- 
;\ili  extent, 
became   the 
rce ;  a!id  yet 
e  of  the  6t}i 
the  British 
laden  with 
\rrying  pro- 
ater  part  of 
■n.     On  tins 


British  Impressment  of  American  Seamen. 


n 


occasion,  our  mercantile  communities  came  forward,  unbiassed 
by  party  divisions.  They  expressed  themselves  in  tlie  strong- 
est terms  against  this  treacherous  and  wicked  procedure.  The 
war  of  the  revolution  had  not  been  forgotten  ;  that  with  the  sav- 
ages still  raged  :  it  was  not  by  sucli  acts,  we  could  be  induced 
to  entertain  a  friendly  feeling  towards  E'ngland.  'J'hcre  pre- 
vailed a  universal  clamour  for  war,  among  t!ie  merchants  parti- 
cularly, and  which  it  rcciuired  all  the  lirmncss  of  Washington 
to  withstand.  This  great  man  had  marked  out  to  himself  the 
wise  policy,  of  keeping  aloof  from  European  politics,  and 
of  avoiding  all  entanglements  in  tiieir  wars.  Mr  Jay  was 
despatched  as  a  special  messenger,  with  orders  to  remon- 
,  trate  in  a  manly  tone.  'J'his  mission  lerniinated  in  the  cele- 
brated treaty  of  1*94  ;  which  was  sanctioned  by  the  luition, 
although  not  without  great  reluctance.  It  ajipeared  in  the 
sequel,  that  we  had  merely  evaded  a  war,  in  order  to  re- 
commence disputes  concerniiiir  the  same  causes. 

'i'hc  Ih-itish  did  little  more  than  modify  their  orders  in  coun- 
cil, by  those  issued  in  1795  and  1798.  In  fact,  down  to  the 
peace  of  Amiens,  the  same  vexations  and  abuses  firrnished  a 
constant  theme  of  remonstrance.  Neither  General  Washing- 
ton, nor  Mr  Adams,  was  able  to  arrange  our  did'erences  M'ith 
England,  or  induce  her  to  consult  her  own  true  interests,  by  a 
just  and  liberal  policy  towards  us.  From  this  we  may  fairly 
infer,  that  no  administration  of  our  government  could  have 
succeeded  in  accommodating  our  dillerenccs  ujjon  just  and 
equitable  principles. 

Another  cause  of  complaint  accompanied  with  equal  step  the 
violations  of  our  commercial  and  maritime  rigiits,  and  was  of  a 
nature  still  more  vexatious.  It  js  one  upon  wliich  American 
feeling  has  always  been  much  alive.  Great  Britain  is  the  only 
modern  nation,  within  the  pale  of  civilization,  at  least  of  those 
who  recognise  the  general  maritime  law,  who  docs  not  consi- 
der the  flag  as  protecting  the  person  who  sails  under  it;  and  we 
are  the  only  people  who,  during  peace,  have;  hcvn  dragged  from 
our  ships  on  the  high  seas,  by  Christian  nations,  and  condemn- 
ed to  servitude.  This  intolerable  outrage  grew  up  from  a  small 
beginning,  by  imprudent  acquiescence  on  our  part ;  perhaps 
not  conceiving  it  possible,  that  it  could  ever  assume  so  hide- 
ous a  front.  At  first,  it  was  a  claim  to  search  our  merchant 
vessels  for  deserters  from  the  public  service  of  Britain  ;  next, 
it  became  aright  to  impress  English  seamen,  who  had  engaged 
themselves  in  American  ships  ;  finally,  every  person  who  could 
not  prove  on  the  spot,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  boarding  officer, 
that  he  was  an  American,  was  carried  away  into  a  most  hate- 


16 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


British  Tmpr'^HSinent  of  American  Seamen. 


If 


ful  bondage.     England  had  gone  far,  in  asserting  the  right  to 
search  a  neutral  vessel,  for  enemy's  goods  ;  but  this  pretended 
exception  to  the  general  rule  that  a  ship  on  the  high  seas  is  as 
inviolable  as  the  territory  of  tlie  nation  at  peace,  had  been  op- 
posed by  every  power  in  Europe,  excepting  the  one  which 
happened  for  the  time  to  be  mistress  of  the  seas  ;  a  strong  proof 
that  it  was  not  a  right,  but  an  abuse.     The  claim  set  up  of  a 
right  to  search  neutral  sliips  for  men,  is  unsupported  by  any 
writer  on  the  public  law,  or  by  one  sound  reason.     She  had 
no  more  right  to  claim  her  subjects  from  our  ships,  than  from 
our  territory.     Whatever  right  she  might  have,  to  prevent  them 
from  quitting  their  country,  at  times  when  their  services  were 
required  ;  or  of  punishing  them  for  doing  so :  she  had  no  right 
to  pursue  them  into  our  country,  or  demand  them  from  us,  un- 
less sustained  in  doing  so  by  express  stipulation.     But  what 
she  had  no  right  to  demand,  she  had  a  right  to  take  by  force! 
When  closely  pressed,  she  deigned  at  last  to  give  some  reasons 
in  support  of  her  practice  : — she  must  have  men  to  man  her 
thousand  ships — she  was  contending  for  her  existence — we  had 
no  right  to  employ  her  seamen — our  flag  had  no  regard  to  her 
interests — our  employment  of  fo.eign  seamen  was  not  regu- 
lated— our  suflerings  were  the  consequences  of  our  own  im- 
prudence.— These  were  the  only  arguments  that  could  be  used  in 
support  of  such  a  practice.     If  England  said  she  must  have 
men,  we  answered  that  we  must  have  men  also.      We  also 
were  contending  for  our  existence,  but  did  not  think  it  justi- 
fiable on  that  account  to  plunder  our  neighbours,  or  make  them 
slaves.     She  said  that  we  had  no  right  to  employ  her  seamen — 
we  could  answer  that  she  had  no  right  to  employ  ours.     We 
were  no  more  bound  to  consult  her  interest,  than  she  considered 
herself  bound  to  consult  ours.     The  fact  is,  that  no  nation  in 
the  world  employs  a  greater  number  of  foreign  seamen  than 
Great  Britain,  in  her  immense  commerce,  and  in  her  immense 
navy  ;  and  she  has  a  right  to  employ  them^  not  for  the  reason 
she  then  assigned,  to  wit,  that  she  was  contending  for  her  ex- 
istence, or  fighting  the  battles  of  the  world,  but  because  the 
thing  was  lawful  in  itself.     So  far  from  restricting  herself,  or 
regulating  the  practice,  or  consulting  the  interests  of  others, 
she  consulted  only  her  own  interests,  and  held  out  enticements 
to  foreign  seamen,  which  no  other  nation  did.     Here,  then,  was 
a  simple  question  ;  how  came  that  to  be  unlawful  in  America, 
which  was  lawful  in  Britain  ?     Would  not  Great  Britain  protect 
an  American  seaman,  who  has  been  made  an  Englishman  by 
being  two  years  in  her  service  ?     But  were  we  to  blame  because 
her  seamen  preferred  our  service  ?  There  was,  in  fact,  nothing  in 


I 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


17 


British  Impressment  of  American  Seamen. 


right  to 
pretended 
seas  is  as 
been  op- 
ne  which 
ong  proof 
it  up  of  a 
id  by  any 
She  had 
than  from 
ivent  them 
aces  were 
d  no  right 
)m  us,  un- 
liut  what 
:  by  force ! 
me  reasons 
Lo  man  her 
e — we  had 
Tard  to  her 
not  regu- 
r  own  im- 
1  be  used  in 
must  have 
We  also 
nk  it  justi- 
make  them 
•  seamen — 
ours.     We 
considered 
0  nation  in 
3amen  than 
3r  immense 
the  reason 
for  her  ex- 
)ecause  the 
herself,  or 
of  others, 
enticementa 
B,  then,  was 
in  America, 
tain  protect 
lishraan  by 
ime  because 
t,  nothing  in 


the  American  practice  to  justify  reprisals.  'I'he  employment 
of Enj^lish  seamen,  ulio  vohintarily  tfiiulored  their  services,  was 
lawful,  liowever  di.sagrec;il)le  it  niitrht  be  to  Eiij^land.  How  far  a 
friendly  feeling  towards  thai  country,  might  iiukice  us  lo  consult 
her  convenience  and  interests,  or  how  far  our  own  weakness,  or 
interest,  might  require  us  lo  waive  our  rights,  was  another  matter. 

Tliis  is  phuMiig  the  suhjju't  in  the  least  reprehensible  view, 
as  respects  England.  Hut  when  we  come  to  examine  the  man- 
ner in  which  this  pretended  right  was  exercised  by  her,  it  can- 
not be  doubted  for  a  moment,  that  the  whole  was  a  mere  pretext 
to  vex  our  commerce,  and  recruit  for  her  navy,  from  American 
ships.  'I'his  is  evident,  from  the  miirorni  ])racti('e  of  impress- 
ing men  of  all  nations,  found  in  them:  Sjianiards,  Portuguese, 
Danes,  Russians,  Ilollandcis,  and  even  Negroes.  It  was,  in 
fict,  an  insult  to  every  nation  in  the  civilized  world.  ^Fros 
Tyriusque  nuUo^  was  tlui  motto,  allhoiigh  not  in  the  friendly 
sense  in  which  it  was  used  by  the  (^ucen  of  Carthage.  The 
British  pracii(,'e  amounted  to  subjecting  the  crew  of  every  Ame- 
ri(;an  vessel,  lo  be  drawn  up  l)efore  a  lienlonanl  of  the  navy, 
ihat  he  might  choose  out  such  as  suited  his  purpose.  The 
good  sailor  was  uniformly  an  Englishman,  and  the  lubber  an 
American.  It  has  i)een  said,  that  the  number  of  impressed 
Americans  was  exaggerated  ;  was  there  no  exaggeration  as 
lo  the  number  of  Englishmen  in  the  American  service  \  Was  it 
then  of  more  importance,  that  (ireat  Britain  should  prevent  a 
lew  of  her  seamen  from  escaping  into  a  foreign  service,  than  it 
was  to  us,  that  free  Americans  should  be  doomed  to  the  worst  of 
slavery  ? 

Entjland  has  never  known  the  full  extent  of  the  sensations 
produced  in  America,  by  Jier  practice  ()f  impressment.  The 
influence  of  party  spirit  has  contributed  to  deceive  her.  The 
irreat  body  of  Americans  have  always  i'elt  this  outrage  to  tlieir 
persons,  with  the  keenest  indignation  ;  no  American  adnnnis- 
iration  would  ever  express  a  diilerenl  sentiment.  She  was  mucli 
mistaken,  if  she  supposed,  that  the  outcry  agninst  her  conduct 
was  a  mere  parly  trick:  it  was  deeply  felt  as  an  egregious  in- 
sult. She  did  not  know  that  the  American  seamen  were,  in 
general,  of  a  class  superior  lo  her  own  ;  that  is,  more  decently 
brought  up,  of  more  reputable  connexions,  of  better  morals  and 
education,  and  many  of  ihem  looking  forward,  after  the  expira- 
tion of  their  apprenticeships,  to  be  mates  and  captains  of  ves- 
sels; or  rather  she  knew  it  well,  and  therefore  gave  them  her 
baleful  preference.  But  mark  the  retribution  which  follows 
the  steps  of  injustice.  When  any  of  these  men  were  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  escape  from  seven  or  ten  years  servitude  on  board  a 

B* 


18 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


British  Impressment  of  American  Seamen. 


m 


i 


W   •! 


British  man  of  war,  they  breathed  nothing  but  revenge,  and 
imparted  the  same  feeling  to  their  countrymen.  It  vas  pre- 
dicted, that  these  men  who  had  wrongs  of  their  own,  would 
be  found,  in  case  of  war  with  Engljmd,  no  common  foes.  War 
came,  and  Britain  may  read  in  our  naval  combats,  a  commen- 
tary on  her  practice  of  impressment,  and  her  tyranny  on  the 
ocean. 

As  early  as  the  year  1793,  it  was  declared  by  the  American 
minister  at  London,  that  the  practice  of  impressment  had  pro- 
duced great  irritation  in  America,  and  that  it  was  difficult  to 
avoid  makii  ^  reprisals  on  the  British  seamen  in  the  United 
Slates.  It  is  ,verhaps  to  be  regretted,  that  General  Washing- 
ton's threat  was  not  carried  into  execjition,  as  it  might  have 
brought  the  affair  to  issue  at  once.  The  practice  had  grown 
so  vexatious  after  the  treaty  of  1794,  that  the  British  govern- 
ment was  told  in  plain  terms,  that  unless  a  remedy  was  applied, 
war  would  be  inevitable.  It  was  said  to  be  of  such  a  nature, 
as  no  American  could  bear ;  '^  that  they  might  as  well  rob  the 
American  vessels  of  their  goods,  as  drag  the  American  sea- 
men from  their  ships,  in  the  manner  practised  by  them."  Cer- 
tainly the  offence  would  have  been  as  much  less,  as  a  bale  of 
goods  is  of  less  value  than  a  man.  It  was  stated,  that  as  many 
as  two  hundred  and  seventy  Amerif^ans  were  th<?n  actually  in 
the  British  service,  the  greater  part  of  whom  persisted  in  rC' 
fusing  pay  and  bounty.  They  were  told,  that  if  they  had  any 
regard  for  the  friendship  of  this  country,  they  would  facilitate  the 
means  of  relieving  those  <  \  our  oppressed  fellow-citizens.  That 
the  excuse  alleged  by  Great  Britain,  of  not  being  able  to  dis- 
tinguish between  her  subjects,  and  the  citizens  of  America, 
was  without  foundation,  inasmuch  as  foreigners  who  could  not 
be  mistaken,  w€  "e  equally  liable  to  impressment.  The  hon- 
our of  the  nation,  it  was  said,  was  deeply  concerned,  and  un- 
less the  practice  should  be  discontinued,  it  must  ultimately  lead 
to  open  rupture.  This  was  the  language  uniformly  held  forth, 
by  every  successive  administration  of  the  American  government. 
It  was  the  theme  of  reprobation,  and  remonstrance,  of  every 
distinguished  statesman  of  this  country.  On  this  subject  we 
find  Washington,  Adams,  Jefferson,  Madison,  Monroe,  Mar- 
shall, Jay,  Pickering,  King,  and  many  others,  in  their  official 
correspondence,  fully  and  uniformly  concurring.  In  fact,  these 
complaints  continued  until  the  last  hour,  in  consequence  of  our 
impolitic  submission. 

This  shocking  outrage  was  at  length  carried  to  such  extent, 
that  voyages  were  often  broken  up,  and  the  safety  of  vessels 
endangered,  by  not  leaving  a  sufficient  number  of  mariners  on 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


19 


/enge,  and 
t  vas  pre- 
wn,  would 
lOes.  War 
a  commen- 
my  on  the 

5  American 
nt  had  pro- 
difficult  to 
the  United 
I  W?.sbing- 
might  have 
liad  grown 
lish  govern- 
vas  applied, 
ch  a  nature, 
well  rob  the 
lerican  sea- 
em."     Cer- 
as  a  bale  of 
lat  as  many 
1  actually  in 
bitted  in  re« 
ley  had  any 
facilitate  the 
sens.     That 
able  to  dis- 
of  America, 
10  could  not 
The  hon- 
ied, and  un- 
imately  lead 
yr  held  forth, 
rovernment. 
e,  of  every 
subject  we  ^ 
onroe,  Mar- 
their  official 
n  fact,  these 
uence  of  our 

such  extent, 
y  of  vessels 
mariners  on 


British  Impressi.ient  uf  American  Seamen Attack  on  the  Che8apei;\e. 

board  to  navigate  them.  It  was  estimated,  tliat  at  least  seven 
thousand  Jlmericuns  were  at  one  time  in  the  British  service, 
against  their  will.  Even  as  respects  her  own  subjects,  the 
practice  of  impressment  is  ono  of  ibe  most  cruel  and  unjust ; 
in  direct  opposition  to  the  general  freedom  of  her  constitu- 
tion, and  only  covered  by  tbe  most  miserable  sophistry ;  but 
to  America,  w!io  would  not  endure  a  single  one  of  her  citizens 
to  be  impressed  into  her  own  servic  %  it  is  not  surprising  that  it 
should  appear  detestable.  The  tribute  of  Minos,  or  of  Monte- 
zuma, of  the  youth  doomed  ?is  a  sacrifice  to  infernal  idols,  was 
not  more  hr.tefal.  The  American  was  compelled  to  sloop  to 
the  Immiliation  of  carrying  about  him,  on  the  high  seas,  the 
tiertificate  of  his  nativity;  and  this  was  soon  found  unavailing, 
It  was  torn  to  pieces  by  the  tyrant,  and  its  fragments  scattered 
to  the  winds.  She  boldly  asserted  the  right  of  dragging  from 
underreath  our  flag,  every  one  who  could  not  prove  on  the  spot, 
that  he  ivas  not  a  British  subject.  Every  foreigner,  no  matter 
of  what  country,  was,  in  consequence,  excluded  from  our  mer- 
chant service.  On  the  part  of  the  United  States,  every  possible 
eflbrt  was  made  to  compromise  the  matter,  but  in  vain.  No 
offer  was  ever  made  by  Great  Britian,  which  presented  any 
prospect  of  putting  an  end  to  these  abuses  ;  while  the  most  lair 
and  rational  on  our  part,  were  rejected.  About  the  year  1800, 
a  proposal  was  made  for  tht.  mutual  exchange  of  deserters,  but 
this  was  rejected  by  Mr  Adams,  for  the  same  reason  that  tlie 
President  rejected  the  treaty  of  1806 — because  it  was  thought 
better  to  have  no  provision,  than  one  which  did  not  sufficiently 
provide  against  the  abuses  of  impressment.  England  offered 
to  make  it  penal,  for  any  of  her  naval  officers  to  impress  our 
seamen,  provided  we  discontinued  our  practice  of  naturalizing 
her  subjects.  The  mockery  of  such  a  proposition,  alone  fully 
proves  her  fixed  mind.  No  plan  could  be  devised  so  suitable 
to  her  wishes,  as  that  of  subjecting  the  liberty,  life,  and  hap- 
piness of  an  American  citizen,  to  the  caprice  of  every  petty 
lieutenant  of  her  navy  :  otherwise,  she  would  have  been  con- 
tented, with  the  exclusion  of  her  subjects  from  all  American 
vessels,  a  thing  which  she  had  no  right  to  ask,  but  which  we 
were  willing  to  grant  for  the  sake  of  peace. 

The  climax  of  this  extraordinary  humiliation,  and  which,  a 
century  hence,  will  scarcely  be  credited,  was  still  wanting;  the 
attack  on  the  Chesapeake  occurred,  and,  for  the  moment,  con- 
vulsed the  nation.  'J'his  vessel  was  suddenly  attacked  within 
our  waters  in  profound  peace,  compelled  to  surrender,  and  several 
seamen,  alleged  to  be  British,  were  then  forcibly  taken  from 
her.     The  burst  of  indignation  which  followed,  was  even  more 


20 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Attack  on  the  ChcHupeake. 


ilii' 


III 


violent  llian  that  which  '  as  produced  hy  the  orders  in  council 
of  nOli.  Pr.rly  animosity  was  .suspeiided,  mnetin)ij[s  were  as- 
sembled in  ev.;ry  viilaj^e,  the  newspapers  were  filled  with  formal 
addresses,  volunteer  companies  were  every  where  set  on  foot, 
and,  in  the  first  plirensy  of  the  moment,  the  universal  cry  was 
for  immediate  war.  Allhoiigh  hostilities  were  not  declared, 
the  feelings  of  America  were  from  that  day  at  war  with  Eng- 
land :  a  greater  attention  was  |)aid  to  the  discipline  of  our 
militia,  and  the  formaticn  of  volunteer  corps  ;  and  the  govern- 
ment was  continually  making  appropriaiions  for  our  national 
defence.  We  still  resorted  to  ncgotiaiion  ;  and  the  aggressors, 
thinking  that  we  might  now  possibly  be  in  earnest,  were  willing 
to  avoid  war  by  a  sacrifice  of  pride.  They  yielded  to  the  humi- 
liation of  sum  udering  the  American  citizens,  upon  the  very 
dock  from  which  they  had  been  forced;  but,  at  the  same  time, 
rewarded  the  otlicer  by  whom  tiie  violence  had  been  oflereti. 
In  excusing  her  conduct,  England  condescended  to  tell  us, 
with  a  serious  face,  t/iut  she.  never  pretended  to  the  right  oj 
impressing  Jlrnerivan  citizens,  and  this,  she  seemed  to  consider, 
rather  as  a  magnanimous  acknowledgement.  Humiliating  in- 
deed, to  be  seriously  told,  that  she  did  not  regard  our  citizens 
as  her  property !  Nothing  can  furnish  stronger  proof  of  the 
extent  of  tlie  abuse,  and  the  bad  policy  of  our  i>acific  course  of 
remonstrance.  Our  sacred  duty  to  our  fellow-citizens,  as  well 
as  a  regard  to  our  national  character,  forbade  such  an  acqui- 


ts 
cscence. 


From  this  review  of  the  subject  of  impressment,  we  return 
to  the  other  princi|)al  branch  of  our  national  dilferences.  It 
must  be  evident  to  the  reader,  that  nothing  was  to  be  expected 
from  any  temporary  arrangement  on  the  part  of  our  enemy  : 
that  nothing  short  of  a  change  in  her  general  policy  and  temper, 
would  sufTice,  and  nothing  but  a  war  could  etfect  this  change. 
Whatever  disputes  we  may  have  had  with  other  nations,  they 
were  of  little  moment,  compared  to  our  differences  with  England. 
To  settle  the  terms  on  which  we  were  to  be  with  her,  was  of 
tlie  first  importance;  our  mutual  intercourse  and  trade  were  of 
vast  extent;  she  occupied  the  liighuay  to  other  nations,  which 
she  could  interrupt  when  she  pleased  ;  it  was  of  little  conse- 
quence on  what  terms  we  were  with  others,  so  long  as  our 
relations  with  England  were  not  properly  adjusted.  Our  in- 
tercourse with  France  was  comparatively  of  but  little  moment. 
She  had  not  recovered  from  the  phrensies  of  her  revolution ;  her 
deportment  was  eccentric,  lawless,  and  unstable  ;  she  was  a 
comet,  threatening  all  nations.  Our  true  wisdom  was  to  keep 
out  of  her  way.     On  the  ocean  she  was  but  little  to  be  dreaded, 


i 

■'X 

J 


* 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


21 


•ft 


n  council 
were  as- 
ith  formal 

on  foot, 
1  cry  was 
declared, 
villi  Eng- 
le  of  our 
e  govern- 
r  national 
nroressors, 
ire  willing 
the  hunr- 

the  very 
ame  time, 
in  oflereii. 
o  tell  us, 
e  ris^ht  of 
J  consider, 
Haling  in- 
Lir  citizens 
oof  of  the 

course  of 
IS,  as  well 

an  acqui- 

we  return 
nces.     It 
expected 
r  enemy  : 
d  temper, 
is  change, 
ions,  they 
England, 
er,  was  of 
do  were  of 
)ns,  which 
tile  conse- 
ing  as  our 
Our  in- 
e  moment, 
ution;  her 
she  was  a 
as  to  keep 
)e  dreaded, 


■'4 


I 
i 


Dlflflrenccs  with  Vrnncc F»ench  Decree*.      

and  was  in  no  condition  to  execute  her  threats.  But  notwith- 
standing the  power  of  England  to  sweep  our  commerce  from 
the  ocean,  and  to  seal  our  ports,  we  still  expected  something 
from  her  good  sense,  her  justice,  or  her  interest.  Yet  scarcely 
was  the  flame  of  war  on^e  more  lighted  up  on  the  continent,  than 
both  the  belligerents  began,  under  various  pretexts,  to  prey  upon 
our  commerce.  On  the  part  of  England,  the  rule  of  175G  was  re- 
vived, and  applied  in  a  manner  more  intolerable  than  ever.  The 
suflferings  of  the  American  merchants  were  such,  as  to  cause 
them  to  call  loudly  on  the  government  for  protection ;  and  a 
war  with  England,  at  this  time,  was  by  many  thought  inevita- 
ble. It  appeared  to  be  her  fixed  determination,  that  neutrals 
should  enjoy  no  trade  without  her  special  license  and  permis- 
sion. By  some  it  was  thought,  that  if  we  should  enter  into 
her  views,  and  declare  war  against  Fr<j.iice,  she  would  amicably 
arrange  the  points  in  dispute  between  us.  'i'his,  however,  was 
very  doubtful ;  it  would  only  have  encouraged  her  to  make  still 
further  claims.  Such  a  thing  was,  besides,  impossible.  The 
American  people,  still  smarting  under  so  many  wrongs  unre- 
dressed, CGuld  not  be  induced  to  do  what  would  amount  almost 
to  a  return  to  subjection. 

In  May  1806  Great  Britain  commenced  her  system  of  paper 
blockade,  by  interdicting  all  intercourse  with  a  great  part  of 
France  and  her  dependencies.  This  operated  exclusively  on 
the  United  States,  who  were  the  only  remaining  neutrals.  The 
decrees  of  the  French  eniperor  of  the  6lh  of  November  follow- 
ed, and  were  immediately  made  known  to  our  minister  at  Lon- 
don by  the  British  government,  with  a  threat,  that  if  they  were 
put  in  execution  (although  the  British  rninister  well  knew,  that 
it  could  be  nothing  more  than  a  bravado)  similar  measures 
would  bo  adopted.  But  without  waiting  the  result,  in  fact  be- 
fore the  lapse  of  a  fortnight,  the  British  government  issued  the 
orders  in  council  of  the  7th  of  January  1806,  which  went  the  full 
length  of  declaring,  that  no  vessel  should  be  at  liberty  to  trade 
from  one  port  of  France  to  another,  or  from  a  port  under  her 
control,  and  Ajm  which  the  English  were  excluded.  Napo- 
leon's Milan  decrees  succeeded,  which  were  little  more  than 
nominal  to  the  neutral  who  did  not  place  himself  in  his  power; 
they  afTected  us,  not  England.  We  were  the  only  sufferers  in 
this  system  of  retaliation,  which  wasj  in  fact,  a  gross  violation 
of  neutral  rights  on  the  part  of  both.  England  was  apparently 
benefited,  inasmuch  as  it  struck  a  blow  at  our  commerce,  and 
rendered  it  impossible  for  us  to  spread  a  sail  without  her  per- 
mission.     The  belligerents  presented  the  spectacle  of  two 


p  ^ 


22 


BRACKKNRIDGE'S 


rimbnrsn Nnn-Intfrrniirae. 


hi^rhwaynion,  robl)injr  a  pnssonf^rr  aiu!  thou   uiarrelling  for  tho 
spoil ;  and  yd  this  was  iialU'd  rctahalioii  ! 

The  IJiiilod  Slates  sinnercdy  wished  to  be  at  pcaro.  Each 
of  the  bellifrcrcnts  accused  u.s  of  partiality:  and  wherein  was 
tliat  partiahty  .'  Simply  iu  this:  I''r;ince  d('clari'(l  that  we  sul- 
fercd  tho  dc'pr('(h»ti()iis  ol' lOiiifhuul  with  more  paiieuce,  than  her 
own;   and  Ku<,daud,  that  she  ah»ue  liai'  '  i,  to  pUnuh-r  us! 

Each  seemed  to  consider  it  as  a  previou^  iiioii  of  retiderino 

us  justice,  that  we  shouhl  compel  jier  adversary  to  respect  our 
rifrhts.  Ill  this  sintfujar  situation,  itaf)])eared  the  wisest  course 
to  withdraw  entirely  from  the  ocean.  Exj)erience  soon  taufiht 
us  that  o'lr  embar<ro  system  could  not  i)e  carried  into  efleci,  for 
reasons  which  it  is  nnnecessary  to  repeat,  'i'he  restrictive  sys- 
tem was  substituted  ;  we  placet!  it  in  the  power  of  either  of  the 
wrong  doers,  to  make  us  tiu;  open  enemy  of  the  other,  unless 
that  other  nmounced  his  practices.  Napoleon  was  the  first  to 
announce  "  a  sense  of  returning  justice;"  our  government,  the 
suflering  party,  declared  itself  satisfied.  Enu!;l(tnd  had  .shown 
no  such  sense  of  rctimiiug  justice,  on  tliis  occasion;  she  had 
promised  to  repeal  iiev  orders,  proviiied  the  French  decrees 
wore  rescinded  ;  but  refused  to  take  tlie  ollicial  declaration  of 
tlie  French  minister,  alihoujL,'h  we  had,  in  a  similar  case  before, 
accepted  her  own,  and  positively  refused  to  repeal  the  orders 
in  council,  in  default  of  evidence  that  (he  French  were  disposed 
to  do  lis  Justice!  It  were  useless  to  discuss  the  question  of  our 
partiality  to  France  or  to  England,  while  we  were  complaining 
of  the  aggressions  of  both.  'I'lie  meaning  of  both  was  ol)vious 
enough;  it  was  that  we  should  take  part  in  the  afiairs  of  Eu- 
rope. England  supposed  that  we  could  do  her  service,  and 
Napoleon  tliouglit  lliat  we  could  injure  England. 

In  the  meantime,  the  loss  of  American  property  by  the  de- 
predations of  the  belligerents,  had  been  immense.  The  vexa- 
tions practised  by  the  British  cruisers  off  our  coast,  who  made 
it  a  point  to  harass  the  issuing  and  returning  commerce  of  the 
United  States,  kept  the  public  mind  continually  intlamed.  Our 
citizens  were  distracted  amid  these  surrounding  difliculties.  It 
was  agreed  that  we  had  ample  cause  of  hostility  against  botii 
belligerents,  but  the  administration  was  accused  of  undue  lean- 
ing towards  France,  and  a  disposition  not  sulFKMently  concilia- 
tory towards  England.  The  friends  of  the  administration  de- 
clared, that  the  eflorts  to  obtain  redress  from  England  were 
weakened  by  a  powerful  British  influence,  which  had  grown 
up  of  late  years,  in  the  Eastern  States  and  in  the  commercial 
cities. 

While  the  public  mind  was  in  this  state  of  ferment,  from 


i 


■^ 


njX  for  the 


•0.     Each 
ere  in  was 
at  we  811  f- 
,  than  her 
niulcr  iiH ! 
ictiiU'rini]; 
cspect  our 
icst  course 
:)oii  taujiht 
clUct,  lor 
riclive  sys- 
ihor  of  the 
i(!r,  unless 
ihc  first  to 
ninrnt,  tlic 
had  shown 
1 ;    she  had 
nh   decrees 
•h\ration  of 
ase  before, 
ihe  orders 
c  disposed 
lion  of  our 
niplaining 
as  ol)vious 
irs  of  Eu- 
rvice,  and 

by  the  de- 
Tlie  vexa- 
who  made 
rce  of  tlie 
nod.  Our 
cullies.  It 
lainsl  botli 
ndue  lean- 
y  concilia- 
itration  de- 
land  were 
lad  grown 
;onimercial 

nent,  from 


i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


23 


Indian  HnMilltie Terunisrli. 


our  disputes  with  Enaland  and  France,  our  frontiers  were 
threatened  with  an  Indian  war,  wliich,  as  usual,  was  aiuibuled 
to  the  insiiirations  of  the  former.  The  United  Stales  have 
frequently  been  charged  with  cruel  violence  and  injustice  to 
the  Indians.  That  we  have  encroached  nj)on  their  hunting 
grouiuls,  cannot  be  denied,  but  this  was  the  necessary  conse- 
quence of  the  increase  in  our  population  :  but  the  great  dill'er- 
encc  between  us  and  other  nations,  in  relation  to  the  Indian 
lands,  is,  that  instead  of  taking  ihem  without  ever  acknowledg- 
ing the  riuhl  ol'  the  Indians,  we  have  endeavoured  to  obtain 
them  by  fair  piirchase.  'J'he  Fnited  Stales  were  the  first  to 
respect  the  Indian  territorial  right,  as  they  were  the  first  to 
abolish  the  slave  trade. 

'I'here  was,  at  this  time,  a  celebrated  Indian  warrior,  wlio 
had  her  II  always  rem  rkabU;  for  his  enmity  lo  the  whites,  and 
who,  like  Pontiac,  had  formed  the  desi!;n  of  uniting  all  the 
diflferent  tribes,  in  order  to  oppose  an  ellectual  barrier  to  the 
further  extension  of  the  selllemeiUs.  Tecumseh  was  a  formi- 
dable enemy  ;  he  resorted  lo  every  artilicc  to  stir  iij)  the  minds 
of  the  Indians  against  us.  Of  an  active  and  restless  character, 
he  visited  the  most  distant  nations,  and  endeavoured  to  rouse 
them  by  his  powerful  eloquence.  lie  also  assailed  the  super- 
stitious minds  of  his  countrymen,  by  means  of  his  brother,  a 
kind  of  conjuror,  called  "  tiie  rrophet."  II(.'  had  received  as- 
surances from  the  IJritish  of  such  assistance  as  would  enalde  him 
to  carry  his  plans  into  execution.  In  the  year  1811,  a  council 
was  held  by  governor  Harrison,  of  the  territory  of  Indiana,  ai 
Vincennes,  and  at  which  Tecumseh  attended,  to  remonstraie 
against  a  purchase  lately  made  from  the  Kickapoos  and  somt! 
other  tribes.  In  a  strain  of  native  elo(]uence,  the  orator  in- 
veighed against  the  encroachments  of  the  Americans,  gave  a 
history  of  the  progress  of  the  settlements,  from  the  first  com- 
mencement on  the  Delaware,  to  the  moment  at  wliich  he  spoke, 
insisting  that  the  lands  were  bestowed  by  the  Great  Spirit  upon 
all  the  Indians  in  common,  and  that  no  portion  could  be  dis- 
j)0Ped  of  without  the  consent  of  all.  When  Harrison  replied 
to  this  extravagant  pretension,  he  grasped  his  tomahawk,  in  a 
Ht  of  phrensy,  and  boldly  charged  the  AmeriCsn  governor  with 
liaving  uttered  what  was  false,  while  the  warriors  who  attended 
him,  twenty  or  thirty  in  number,  followed  his  example:  but 
Harrison  had  fortunately  posted  a  guard  of  soldiers  near,  wlio 
put  a  slop  to  their  fury.  The  council  was,  however,  broken 
up,  and  nothing  short  of  war  was  expected  to  result. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  the  frontier  setders  had  be- 
come seriously  alarmed  ;  every  thing  on  the  part  of  the  Indians 


84 


HRACKENRIDGE'S 


11 1 

''  ll! 


I'  I'J 


m  I 


I  \ 


Uun<;rnl  llnrriaon Dattle  uf  Tipp«canM. 

appeared  to  indicate  approaching  liostilitics.  Governor  Har* 
rison  resolved  to  move  towards  the  Prophet's  town,  with  a 
body  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana  mililia,  and  the  Tourlh  United 
(States  regiment,  under  colonel  Hoyd,  to  demand  satisfaction 
of  the  Indiana,  and  to  put  a  stop  to  ihcir  hostile  designs. 

On  the  Olh  of  November  lHll,the  army  approached  tlie 
Prophet's  town ;  the  Indians  during  the  day  manifesting  every 
iiostile  disposition,  excepting  that  of  actually  atlacUing,  which 
they  were  not  likely  to  do  without  having  a  decided  advantage. 
Several  attempts  had  been  made;,  on  the  part  of  the  governor, 
to  bring  them  ton  j)arley,  which  they  sullenly  rejected,  until  he 
approached  within  a  mile  of  the  town,  when  becoming  alarmed 
for  their  own  safety,  they  at  length  sent  a  deputation  to  make 
their  excuse,  and  to  profess  their  willingness  to  meet  in  council. 
The  governor,  i!i  obedience  to  his  instructions  to  avoid  hostili- 
ties as  long  as  it  was  possible,  had  been  unwilling  to  attack 
their  town  until  compelled  by  necessity,  and  now  acceded  to 
their  proposals  of  holding  a  treaty  the  next  morning.  IJut  dis- 
trusting these  savages,  with  whose  wily  arts  he  was  well  ac- 
quainted, he  cautiously  looked  out  a  place  of  encampment.  He 
chose  an  elevated  piece  of  ground,  in  the  open  prairie,  after  a 
careful  reconnoissance  by  majors  Taylor  and  Clark.  'J'he  two 
columns  of  infantry  occupied  the  front  and  rear.  The  right  flank 
was  occupied  by  captain  Spencer's  company;  the  left  flank  by 
three  companies  conmianded  by  general  Wells  as  major.  The 
frontline  was  composed  of  one  battalion  of  United  States  infantry 
under  major  Floyd,  and  a  regiment  of  Indiana  militia  under 
colonel  Bartholomew.  The  rear  line  consisted  of  a  battalion 
of  United  States  infantry  under  captain  Baen,  commanding  as 
major,  and  four  companies  of  Indiana  volunteers  under  lieute- 
nant colonel  Decker.  The  right  flank  was  composed  of  Spen- 
cer's company  of  Indiana  volunteer  riflemen  ;  the  left  of  Robb's 
company  of  Indiana  volunieers,  and  Guiger's,  a  mixed  com- 
pany of  Kentucky  and  Indiana  volunteers;  a  portion  of  United 
States  troops  turning  the  left  front  and  left  rear  angles  respective- 
ly. The  cavalryunder  major  Davics  were  encamped  in  the  rear  of 
the  front  line  and  left  flank,  and  held  in  reserve  as  a  disposable 
force.  The  army  thus  judiciously  posied,  was  not  more  than 
a  mile  from  the  town. 

The  order  given  to  the  army  in  the  event  of  a  night  attack, 
was  for  each  corps  to  maintain  its  position  until  relieved.  The 
dragoons  were  directed  in  such  case,  to  parade  dismounted, 
with  their  swords  and  pistols,  and  to  wait  for  orders.  The 
guard  for  the  night  consisted  of  two  captain's  commands  of 
twenty-four  men,  and  four  non-f^ommis^ioned  oflicers  ;  and  two 


f 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


85 


nmile  of  Tip|Nicano<>. 


rnor  llar- 
n,  with  a 
ih  United 
iilislaction 

ached  the 
ting  every 
ng,  which 
iidvanlage. 
governor, 
(1,  until  he 
iig  ahirmed 
n  to  make 
in  council. 
Old  hostili- 
r  to  attack 
acceded  to 
.     liut  dia- 
as  well  ac- 
imcnt.    He 
iric,  after  a 
The  two 
^riglit  flank 
ft  flank  by 
ajor.     The 
tes  infantry 
lilia  under 
a  battalion 
manding  as 
ider  lieute- 
ed  of  Spen- 
t  of  Robb's 
iixed  corn- 
In  of  United 
res  pec  li  ve- 
il the  rear  of 
disposable 
more  than 

light  attack, 
;ved.  The 
lismounted, 
lers.  The 
mimands  of 
Is ;  and  two 


I 


Hiiballern's  guards  of  tweiJty  men  and  non-conimissioned  ofll- 
cers  ;  the  whole  under  the  command  of  h  lield  ofliocr  of  the 

day. 

On  the  night  of  the  Olh,  the  troo])s  lay  under  arms,  and 
the  coinmandcr-iii-chief  was  ready  to  mount  his  horse  at  a  mo- 
ment's warning.  On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  about  four 
o'clock,  he  arof^e,  and  sat  by  the  fire  conversing  with  some  of 
his  family  ;  orders  had  been  given  to  beat  the  reveille;  the 
moon  had  risen,  but  overshadowed  with  clouds,  which  occa- 
sionally discharged  a  drizzling  rain.  At  this  moment  the 
aitaek  commenced.  The  Indians,  in  their  usual  stealthy  man- 
ner, had  crept  up  to  the  sentinels,  intending  to  rush  u[)on  them, 
and  kill  them  before  they  could  Are  ;  but  being  discovered,  and  the 
alarm  given,  they  raised  their  yell,  and  made  a  furious  charge 
upon  the  left  flank.  'J'hc  guard  in  that  quarter,  being  struck  with 
j)anic,  gave  way,  and  the  lirst  onset  was  received  by  captain 
IJarton's  company  of  regulars,  and  captain  Guiger's  company 
of  moujited  riflemen,  forming  the  left  angle  of  the  rear  line. 
'J'he  lire  there  was  severe ;  but  the  troops  being  already  prepared, 
were  soon  formed,  and  gallantly  opposed  the  fury  ol'  their  as- 
sailants. 'I'he  flres  of  the  camp  were  instantly  extinguished, 
excepting  in  front  of  Uarton's  and  Guiger's  companies,  where 
the  suddenness  of  the  attack  prevented  this  from  being  done. 
The  governor,  having  no  time  to  wait,  mounted  the  flrst  horse 
that  could  be  brought  to  him,  a  fortunate  circumstance,  as  bis 
own,  a  flne  grey,  was  known  to  the  Indians,  and  became  the 
object  of  their  search.  Finding  the  line  weakened  at  the  first 
point  attacked,  he  ordered  two  companies  from  the  centre  of 
the  rear  line,  to  march  up,  and  form  across  the  angle  in  the 
rear  of  Barton  and  (luiger's  companies.  In  passing  through 
ihe  camp,  towards  the  left  of  the  front  line,  he  met  major 
Daviess,  who  informed  him  that  the  Indians,  concealed  behind 
some  trees  near  the  line,  were  annoying  the  troops  very 
severely,  and  requested  permission  to  dislodge  them.  In  at- 
tempting this,  he  fell  mortally  wounded,  as  did  colonel  White 
of  Indiana. 

In  the  mean  time,  a  flerce  attack  was  made  on  Spencer's  and 
Warwick's  companies  on  the  right.  Captain  Spencer  and  his 
lieutenants  were  all  killed,  and  captain  VVarwick  was  mortally 
wounded.  The  governor,  in  passing  towards  that  flank,  found 
captain  Robb's  company  near  the  centre  of  the  camp.  They 
had  been  driven  from  their  post,  or  rather  had  lallen  back. 
He  led  them  to  the  aid  of  captain  Spencer,  where  they  fought 
bravely  during  the  remainder  of  the  action  :  while  in  this  act, 
his  aid,  colonel  Owen,  was  killed  at  his  side  ;  this  officer  was 
C 


26 


BRA  rivExN  RIDGE'S 


Uiittle  of  Tippecanoe. 


H 


mounted  on  a  white  horse,  and  as  the  governor  had  ridden  a 
grey  the  day  before,  it  is  probable  that  Owen  was  mistaken 
for  him,  by  one  of  those  Indians  who  had  devoted  themselves 
to  certain  destruction,  in  order  to  insure  victory  by  killing  the 
commander-in-chief. 

Captain  Prescott's  company  of  United  States  infantry  had 
filled  up  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  retreat  of  Kobb's  company. 
Soon  after  Daviess  was  wounded,  captain  Snelling,  by  or.ler 
of  the  governor,  charged  upon  the  same  Indians,  and  dislodged 
them  with  considerable  loss.  The  battle  was  now  maintained 
on  all  sides  with  desperate  valour.  The  Indians  advanced  and 
retreated,  by  a  rattling  noise  made  with  deer  hoofs,  and  fought 
with  a  degree  of  desperation  seldom  equalled.  When  the  day 
dawned,  captain  Snelling's  company,  captain  Posey's,  under 
lieutenant  Albright,  captain  Scott's  and  captain  Wilson's,  were 
drawn  from  the  rear,  and  formed  on  the  left  flank:  while 
Cook's  and  Baen's  companies  were  ordered  to  the  right. 
General  Wells  was  ordered  to  take  command  of  the  corps 
formed  on  the  left,  md  with  the  aid  of  some  dragoons,  who 
were  now  mounted,  and  commanded  by  lieutenant  Wallace,  to 
charge  the  enemy  in  that  direction,  which  he  did  successfully, 
driving  them  into  a  swamp  where  the  cavalry  could  not  follow 
them.  At  the  same  time.  Cook's  and  Larrabee's  companies, 
with  the  aid  of  the  riflemen  and  militia,  on  the  right  flank, 
charged  the  Indians  and  put  them  to  flight  in  that  quarter, 
which  terminated  the  battle. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  desperate  battles  ever  fought  with  the 
Indians,  and  but  for  the  caution  and  efficiency  of  the  comman- 
der-in-chief, might  have  terminated  like  the  night  attack  on 
general  Sinclair.  The  army,  with  tlie  exception  of  the  regular 
troops  under  general  Boyd,  was  chiefly  composed  of  militia 
and  volunteers,  who  had  never  been  in  battle  before.  Resolu- 
tions were  passed  by  the  legislatures  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana, 
highly  complimentary  of  governor  Harrison,  and  the  ofllcers 
and  troops  under  his  command ;  and  the  reputation  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief, aa  an  able  and  prudent  general,  was  established 
on  the  most  solid  foundation. 

The  battle  of  Tippecanoe  contributed  to  inflame  the  temper 
of  the  country,  already  calling  for  war.  A  naval  incident  which 
occurred  some  time  afterwards,  did  not  serve  to  allay  it.  Ofl' 
the  American  coast,  commodore  Rodgers,  during  the  night,  fell 
in  with  a  British  frigate,  which  afterwards  proved  to  be  the 
Little  Belt;  being  hailed  by  the  commodore,  the  commander 
merely  repeated  the  question,  and,  after  some  minutes,  actually 
fired  several  of  his  guns.     On  this,  tlie  commodore  poured  a 


i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


War  with  (Irent  Britain  iiievitablr. 


d  ridden  a 
5  mistaken 
themselves 
killing  the 

ifantry  had 
i  company. 
g,  by  oiler 
d  dislodged 
maintained 
Ivanced  and 

and  fought 
lien  the  day 
sey's,  under 
[son's,  were 
ank;  while 
I  the  right, 
f  the  corps 
igoons,  who 

Wallace,  to 
successfully, 
d  not  follow 

companies, 

right  Hank, 
hat  quarter, 

ght  with  the 
he  com  man- 
It  attack  on 
f  the  regular 
d  of  militia 
Ire.  Resolu- 
and  Indiana, 
the  officers 
of  the  com- 
s  established 

the  temper 
cident  which 
dlay  it.  Oir 
he  night,  fell 
;d  to  be  the 

commander 
Lites,  actually 
ore  poured  a 


broadside  into  her,  and  compelled  her  commander  to  beg  for 
mercy.  This  was  the  first  check  the  British  commanders  had 
received  from  us  on  the  ocean. 

The  conduct  of  Great  Britain,  which  grew  every  day  more 
insupportable,  can  only  be  accounted  for,  by  her  belief  that  we 
could  not  (to  use  the  contemptuous  expressions  of  the  day)  "Z/c 
kicked  into  a  wary  The  experiment  of  war,  on  the  part  of 
the  United  States,  was  an  awful  one;  any  administration  might 
be  justly  apprehensive  of  venturing  upon  an  expcrimont,  the 
consequences  of  which  no  one  could  foresee.  This  forbear- 
ance was  construed  into  pusillanimity ;  and  the  name  and  cha- 
racter of  the  United  States  had  sunk  low,  in  conseiiuence,  with 
every  nation  of  Europe.  We  had  become  the  butt  and  jest  of 
Nap(»leon  and  tlie  English  ministry,  and  who  yet  vainly  essuy- 
(!d  to  draw  us  into  a  participation  in  their  wars.  A  war  v.ilh 
Napoleon  could  not  have  been  more  than  nominal,  unless  we 
united  in  a  close  alliance  with  England  ;  without  this,  we  could 
inilict  on  him  nothing  more  than  a  simple  non-intercourse. 
But  a  war  with  England  would  be  a  very  dift'erent  mailer; 
without  forming  any  alliance  with  Napoleon,  we  might  assail 
lier  commerce,  her  public  ships,  and  her  adjoining  j)rovinces. 

But  Great  Britain  was  contending  for  her  existence,  she  was 
fighting  the  battles  of  the  civilized  world  ;  it  was  therefore  cruel 
and  ungenerous  to  press  our  demands  at  such  a  moment,  'i'hii- 
was  by  no  means  evident.  If  it  had  been  true,  wiiy  did  she 
continue,  at  such  a  time,  to  insult  and  abuse  us  in  every  possi- 
ble shape  ?  Notwithstanding  this  appeal,  there  were  many 
amongst  us  who  could  see  only  a  contest  between  two  great 
nations  for  the  mastery  of  the  wcrld.  We  saw  the  stupendous 
schemes  of  British  aggrandisement,  in  every  part  of  tlie  globe, 
which  had  little  the  appearance  of  fighting  for  her  existence. 
We  saw  her  already  mistress  of  the  seas;  we  regarded  any 
actual  invasion  of  her  shores,  as  a  thing  too  visionary,  even  for 
Napoleon ;  we  saw,  in  the  lawless  and  unbounded  projects  of 
this  despot,  at  which  England  affected  to  be  alarmed,  her  best 
security,  as  they  kept  alive  the  fears  and  jealousies  of  the  sur- 
rounding nations,  and  silently  undermined  his  throne.  We 
have  seen  how  inconsiderable  were,  in  reality,  all  his  conquests. 
The  existence  of  England  was  never  in  danger;  Napoleon 
could  never  have  subdued  Spain  and  Russia;  two  projects, 
which  all  now  admit  to  have  been  the  extreme  of  folly.  Eng- 
land was  not  fighting  the  battles  of  the  world,  but  of  her  ambi- 
tion ;  she  was  not  the  bulwark  of  our  religion,  but  the  instigator 
of  the  savages;  she  was  not  the  world's  last  liope — That  last 
hope  is  America ;  not  as  the  pretended  champion  in  the  cause 


1.1 


28 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Ucclaration  of  War. 


of  Other  nations,  but  as  a  living  argument  that  ty  .inny  is  not 
necessary  to  the  safety  of  man ;  that  to  be  degraded  and  de- 
based, is  not  the  way  to  be  great,  prosperous  and  happy. 


CHAPTER  H. 


Declaration  of  War— General  Hull  reaches  Detroit— Crosses  into  Canada— Skir 
mislies  on  the  River  Aux  Canards— Taking  of  Michiiiinackinac— Battle  of  Browns 
town— Battle  of  Magagua— Taking  of  Chicago — Surrender  of  Hull. 


An  interesting  period  in  the  history  of  this  youthful  nation 
was  fast  approaching.  Our  affairs  with  Great  Britain  had  be- 
come every  day  more  and  more  embarrassed.  The  storm 
already  lowered,  and  there  was  little  hope  that  the  gathering 
clouds  would  pass  harmless  over  us.  In  consequence  of  this 
state  of  things,  the  first  session  of  the  twelfth  congress  had 
been  protracted  to  an  unusual  lengtli,  and  the  eyes  of  America 
were  turned  towards  it  in  anxious  expectation.  On  the  5ih  of 
June  1812,  the  President  laid  before  congress  the  correspond- 
ence between  our  secretary  of  state  and  the  British  minister 
near  our  government,  which  seemed  to  preclude  all  hope  of 
coming  to  an  adjustment,  in  the  two  principal  points  in  dispute, 
— the  orders  in  council,  and  the  subject  of  impressment.  But  we 
had  so  often  been  on  the  point  of  a  rupture  with  Great  Britain, 
that  even  at  this  moment  no  certain  conjecture  could  be  formed 
by  the  most  intelligent,  of  the  probable  result.  The  public 
voice  called  loudly  for  war,  at  least  this  was  the  sense  of  a 
great  majority  of  the  nation.  At  length,  on  the  18th  of  June, 
after  sitting  with  closed  doors,  the  solenm  and  important  appeal 
to  arms  was  announced.  The  President  had  communicated 
his  message,  in  which  all  our  complaints  against  Great  Britain 
were  enumerated  with  great  force,  and  an  opinion  expressed 
that  no  remedy,  no  hope  now  remained,  but  in  open  war.  The 
committee  of  foreign  relations,  to  whom  the  message  was  re- 
ferred, concurred  with  the  President,  in  recommending  the 
measure.  An  act  of  congress  was  accordingly  passed,  which 
received  the  sanction  of  the  President  on  the  same  day ;  and  on 
the  day  following,  the  19th  of  June  1812,  war  was  publicly 
proclaimed. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


29 


Derlariition  of  War. 


limy  is  not 
ed  and  de- 
appy. 


Canada— Pkir- 
ttle  of  Browiii*- 


lliful  nation 
tain  had  be- 
The  storm 
,e  gathering 
3nce  of  this 
ongress  had 
of  America 
n  the  5ih  of 
correspond- 
ish  minister 
all  hope  of 
in  dispute, 
nt.    But  we 
reat  Britain, 
d  be  formed 
The  public 
sense  of  a 
Hh  of  June, 
)rtant  appeal 
mmunicated 
reat  Britain 
n  expressed 
n  war.    Tlie 
sage  was  re- 
nending  the 
issed,  which 
day ;  and  on 
ivas  publicly 


1 


This  highly  important  and  eventful  act  of  the  national  legis- 
lature was  variously  received.  In  some  places  it  produced 
demonstrations  of  joy,  similar  to  that  which  followed  our  de- 
claration of  independence.  War  as  a  calamity,  although  una- 
voidable in  the  present  state  of  the  world,  where  the  strong 
disregard  the  rights  of  the  weak,  should  be  received  without 
despondency,  but  not  with  gladness.  Many,  however,  regarded 
the  war  with  England,  as  a  second  struggle  in  support  of  na- 
tional independence ;  and  not  in  the  course  of  ordinary  wars, 
waged  for  the  sake  of  mere  interest,  or  in  pursuit  of  the  plans 
of  state  policy.  On  the  sea  board,  and  in  the  eastern  states, 
the  sensations  which  it  produced  were  far  from  being  joyfid. 
The  sudden  gloom  by  which  their  commercial  prosperity  was 
overcast,  caused  an  awful  sadness,  as  from  an  eclipse  of  the 
sun.  The  commerce  of  the  cities,  although  for  some  years 
greatly  restricted  by  the  depredations  of  the  two  great  contend- 
ing powers  of  Europe,  still  lingered  in  hopes  of  better  times: 
it  must  now  be  totally  at  an  end  ;  their  ships  must  be  laid  up, 
and  business  almost  cease.  In  diiferent  parts  of  the  United 
States,  the  war  would  necessarily  be  more  severely  felt;  in  an 
extensive  country  like  tliis,  it  it?  impossible  it  should  be  other- 
wise. Moreover,  there  were  those  who  regarded  this  measure 
as  a  most  interesting  and  eventful  experiment.  An  opinion 
was  prevalent  that  the  form  of  our  government  was  not  adapted 
to  war,  from  the  want  of  suiricient  energy  in  the  executive 
branch,  and  from  unavoidable  divisions  in  the  national  councils. 
But  what  was  much  more  to  be  feared,  the  union  of  our  states 
had  scarcely  yet  been  perfectly  cemented;  and  if  the  interests 
of  any  extensive  portion  should  be  too  deeply  afl'ected,  a  disso- 
lution of  our  compact,  "  the  noblest  fabric  of  human  invention," 
might  ensue.  A  powerful  party  was  opposed  to  the  measure, 
on  the  grounds,  that  an  accommodation  with  England  might  yet 
be  made,  that  war  could  not  be  otherwise  than  in  subserviency 
to  the  views  of  France,  and  that  we  were  unprepared  for  20 
serious  a  contest.  The  opposition  of  a  great  portion  of  the 
population,  of  the  talents  and  wealth  of  the  country,  was  enti- 
tled to  respect,  and  would  certainly  tend  to  throw  embarrass- 
ments on  its  prosecution.  Unanimity,  in  so  important  a  mea- 
sure, was  not  to  be  expected;  yet  the  disadvantages  of  this 
opposition  would  be  greatly  felt.  It  was  foreseen  that  our 
Atlantic  cities  wouhl  be  much  exposed ;  that  the  coasts  of  the 
southern  states  would  be  laid  open  to  the  incursions  of  maraud- 
ing parties  ;  and  that  the  western  frontier  would  feel  all  the 
horrors  of  a  savage  and  murderous  warfare.  Many  persons,  on 
the  other  hand,  entertained  the  belief,  that  the  Canadas  would 


I 


I 


f  ;\ 


30 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Dcrliirntinii  of  War. 


SI  ; 


11' 
III! 


ill 


fall,  and  that  the  Floridas,  in  case  that  Spain  should  be  brought 
into  the  contest  on  the  side  of  England,  would  be  ours.  Thu8 
should  we  be  freed  from  troublesome  neighbours,  and  end  for- 
ever, that  dreadful  species  of  hostility  in  which  we  had  been  so 
often  engaged  with  the  savages.  These  hopes  were  not  Ai 
founded  ;  but  we  were  not  aware,  at  the  time,  of  our  deficiency 
in  experience,  and  want  of  a  full  knowledge  of  our  resources — 
the  causes  of  many  subsequent  calamities. 

For  some  years  previous  to  the  declaration  of  war,  a  mili- 
tary spirit  was  gradually  diffusing  itself  amongst  the  people. 
Pains  were  takei  in  disciplining  volunteer  companies  througli- 
out  the  country  ;  a  degree  of  pride  and  emulation  was  every 
where  felt,  to  excel  in  military  exercises.  The  general  prepa- 
rations for  war  seemed  to  be  prompted  by  instinct  of  the  ap- 
proaching event.  But  the  military  establishments  were  ex- 
ceedingly defective.  Acts  of  congress  had  already  authorized 
the  enlistment  of  twenty-five  thousand  men ;  but  it  was  found 
impossible  to  fill  the  ranks  of  a  regular  army,  from  the  small 
number  of  individuals  who  v/ere  not  in  easy  circumstances,  and 
therefore  under  no  necessity  of  enlisting.  The  whole  number 
already  enlisted,  scarcely  amounted  to  live  thousand  men,  and 
these  scattered  over  an  immenne  surface  of  country.  The  Pre- 
sident was  authorized  to  receive  fifty  thousand  volunteers,  and 
to  call  out  one  hundred  lliousand  militia.  This  force  could  not 
be  expected  to  be  otherwise  serviceable,  than  for  the  purpose 
of  defending  the  sea  coast,  or  the  frontier.  A  difficulty  of  still 
greater  importance  existed ;  the  best  troops  in  the  world  are 
ineflicient,  unless  they  happen  to  be  led  by  able  and  experi- 
enced officers.  Our  best  revolutionary  officers  had  paid  the 
debt  to  naturo,  and  those  who  remained,  were  either  far  ad- 
vanced in  life,  or  had  not  been  tried  in  other  than  suhardinate 
stations;  and  besides,  from  long  repose,  had  laid  aside  tlieir  mi- 
litary habits.  There  prevailed,  however,  a  disposition  to  place 
a  degree  of  reliance  on  the  skill  of  the  revolutionary  soldier, 
from  the  meu,  circumstance  of  having  been  such,  vxhich  was 
not  corrected  until  we  had  been  severely  taught  by  after  expe- 
rience. Such  was  liie  situation  of  things,  at  the  commence- 
nient  of  hostilities. 

Governor  Hull,  at  the  head  of  about  two  thousand  men,  was 
on  his  march  to  Detroit,  with  a  view  of  putting  an  end  to  the 
Indian  hostilities,  when  he  received  information  of  tlie  decla- 
ration of  war.  Ills  force  consisted  of  about  one  thousand 
regulars,  and  twelve  liundred  volunteers  from  the  state  of 
Ohio,  who  had  rendezvoused  on  the  'iOth  of  Aj)ril.  In  the  begin- 
ning of  June  they  advanced  to  Urbanna,  where  they  were  join- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


31 


be  brought 
Lirs.  Thus 
nd  end  for- 
liad  been  co 
;ere  not  :U 
r  deficiency- 
resources — 

war,  a  mili- 
the  people. 
ies  througli- 
[  was  every 
neral  prepa- 
t  of  the  ap- 
ts  were  ex- 
r  authorized 
it  was  found 
ni  the  small 
istances,  and 
liole  number 
id  men,  and 
The  Pre- 
anteers,  and 
•ce  could  not 
the  purpose 
culty  of  still 
le  world  are 

and  experi- 
lad  paid  the 

iher  far  ad- 

suhDrdinate 
ide  their  mi- 

tion  to  place 
nary  soldier, 
which  Avas 
y  after  expe- 

commence- 

nd  men,  was 
m  end  to  the 
f  tlie  decUi- 
iie  thousand 
the    state    of 


{icn<  ral  Hull  rcaclics  Detroit, 


J 


Inthcbegin- 
y  were  join- 


ed by  the  Fourth  regiment  of  United  Slates  infantry,  and  imme- 
diately commenced  their  march  through  the  wilderness,  still  in 
possession  of  the  Indians,  and  wliioh  separated  the  inhabited 
part  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  from  tiie  Michigan  territory.  From 
the  town  of  Urbanna  to  the  Rapids,  a  distance  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  miles,  they  had  to  pass  through  a  country  without 
roads,  and  abounding  with  marshes.  From  the  Rapiils  to  De- 
troit, along  the  Miami  of  the  Lake,  and  along  tlie  Detroit  river, 
there  were  a  few  settlements  chieilv  of  French  Canadians,  but 
in  general  the  territory  was  but  thinly  inhabited;  the  whole  of 
its  scattered  population  scarcely  exceeded  five  or  six  thousand 
souls.  It  was  near  tlie  last  of  June  when  this  little  army  reach- 
ed the  Rapids,  after  having  experienced  considerable  obstacles, 
in  passing  through  a  gloomy,  and  almost  trackless  wilderness. 
They  now  entered  an  open  and  romantic  country,  aiul  proceeded 
on  their  march,  full  of  an  ardent  and  adventurous  spirit,  which 
sought  only  to  encounter  dillicultles  and  dangers.  The  volun- 
teers of  Ohio  consisted  of  some  of  the  most  enterprising  and 
active  young  men  of  the  state;  finer  materials  were  never  col- 
lected. After  takinif  some  refreshment  here,  thev  loaded  a 
schooner  with  a  part  ol  th(  ir  baggage,  in  order  to  lighten  their 
march.  By  some  mi:-!forlu!n\  inlelligence  of  the  existing  war 
did  not  reach  the  army,  until  it  was  on  this  march,  and  was 
followed  by  tlie  news  of  the  capture  of  the  schooner,  and  a 
lieutenant  and  thirty  men  who  had  been  put  on  board.  On  the 
5th  of  July,  they  encamped  at  Sjjriii^r  Wells,  opposite  Sand- 
wich, ajul  within  a  few  miles  of  Detroit.  For  some  days  the 
army  had  been  un-'^r  the  necessity  of  proceeding  with  great 
caution,  to  guard  against  surprises  from  the  Indians  and  their 
allies,  and  who,  but  for  this  timely  arrival,  woi.d  have  pos- 
sessed themselves  of  Detroit :  they,  however,  had  thrown  up 
breast-works  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  had  made 
an  attempt  to  fortify  a  ])osition  about  three  miles  below.  Fro.n 
both  these  holds,  they  were  soon  coiupclh.d  to  retreat,  by  a 
well  directed  lire  from  the  American  artillery. 

This  was  the  lavoiirablc  moment  for  commencing  active  ope- 
rations against  the  neighbouring  province  of  Upper  Canada; 
and  as  governor  Hull  liad  received  discretionary  power  to  act 
offensively,  an  immediate  invasion  was  determined  on.  Pre- 
parations for  this  purpose  were  directly  made,  and  borts  pro- 
vided to  effect  the  passaff  of  the  whole  army  at  the  same  in- 
stant. The  British,  aware  of  this  design,  attempted  to  throw 
up  a  battery,  for  the  purpose  of  opposing  the  landing.  This  was 
twice  rendered  abortive;  on  their  attempting  it  a  third  time, 
they  were  permitted  to  accomplish  it  unmolested,  as  our  army 


I 


y  i ' 


32 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


(leneral  lliiil  rrnssns  info  Cannda. 


m  .<, 


it.,! 


could  fiitlier  land  above  or  below  it,  and  lluis  keep  out  of  the 
reach  of  their  guns,  which  consisted  of  seven  small  cannon,  and 
two  mort;  rs.  On  the  I2lh,  every  thing  bring  made  ready, 
the  army  embarked,  and  landed  without  moleslation,  some  dis- 
tance above  the  fort,  and  entered  the  village  of  Sandwich.  The 
inhabitants  made  no  f'low  of  resistance,  and  M'ere  therefore  re- 
spected in  their  persons  and  property  ;  the  principal  part,  how- 
ever, had  been  marched  to  Maliien,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in 
its  defence.  A  proclamation  was  immediately  issued  by  Hull, 
in  which  he  declared  his  intention  of  invading  Canada,  but 
gave  every  assurance  cf  protection  to  the  inhabitants,  whom  he 
advised  to  take  no  part  in  the  contest.  'I'he  proclamation  was 
written  in  a  spirited  and  energetic  style,  and  had  he  been  event- 
ually successful,  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  it  would  have  been 
regarded  as  an  eloquent  production.  It  lias  been  censured  by 
the  British,  as  intended  to  seduce  her  subjects  from  their  alle- 
giance, as  if  this  were  not  Justifiable  in  an  invading  army;  and 
as  violating  the  laws  of  civilized  warfare,  in  the  declaration  that 
no  quarter  would  be  given  to  any  while  man,  found  fighting  by 
the  side  of  an  Indian.  When  we  consider,  that  Indians  give 
no  quarter,  there  may  be  as  much  justice  in  retaliating,  upon 
those  who  are  fighting  by  their  sides,  as  upon  the  savages 
themselves,  for  it  may  be  presumed  that  both  are  actuated  by 
the  same  intentions.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  Hull  was 
seriously  resolved  on  carrying  this  threat  into  execution;  his 
object  was  to  prevent,  if  possible,  the  eniployment  of  savages. 
It  was  altogether  a  suggestion  of  his  own,  unauthorized  by  the 
government,  and  never  acted  upon  by  himself. 

In  a  few  days,  possession  was  taken  of  the  whole  country 
along  tlie  Trench,  or  Thames,  a  beautiful  river,  whose  borders 
are  well  settled.  This  service  was  performed  by  colonel 
M'Arthur,  of  the  Ohio  militia,  who  returned  to  camp,  after  hav- 
ing collected  a  considerable  quantity  of  blankets,  ammunition, 
and  other  military  stores.  Colonel  Cass  was  then  despatched 
in  an  opposite  direction,  towards  Fort  Maiden,  with  two  hun- 
dred and  eighty  men,  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitering  the 
British  and  Indians.  This  place  is  situated  at  the  junction  of 
Detroit  river  with  Lake  Erie,  thirteen  miles  south  of  Hull's 
camp.  Colonel  Cass,  following  the  course  of  the  stream, 
reached  the  river  Aux  Canards,  about  four  miles  from  Maiden, 
where  he  found  a  British  detachment  in  possession  of  the  bridge. 
After  reconnoitering  the  situation  of  the  enemy,  the  colonel 
placed  a  rille  company  under  captain  Robinson,  near  the  place, 
with  orders,  to  divert  the  attention  of  the  guard,  by  keeping  up 
a  fire  until  the  remainder  of  the  party  should  appear  on  the 


4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  AVAK. 


33 


out  of  the 
annon, and 
ade  ready, 
,  some  dis- 
/ich.  The 
lerefore  re- 
.  part,  how- 
of  aiding  in 
3d  by  Hull, 
Janada,  but 
3,  whom  he 
mation  was 
been  event- 
have  been 
;ensured  by 
ti  their  alle- 
army ;  and 
aration  that 
fighting  by 
ndians  give 
ating,  upon 
he  savaj^es 
icluated  by 
It  Hull  was 
cution;  his 
of  savages, 
ized  by  the 

ole  country 

ose  borders 

3y   colonel 

),  after  hav- 

mmunition, 

despatched 

h  two  hun- 

litering  the 

junction  of 

1  of  Hull's 

he  stream, 

)m  Maiden, 

the  bridge. 

the  colonel 

r  the  place, 

keeping  up 

ear  on  the 


Skirnii.-lics  dii  the  River  Anx  ("miiiikIs. 


opposite  side.  This  part  of  the  detachment,  was  to  have  forded 
the  river  about  five  miles  below.  The  design  was  frustrated, 
by  their  want  of  a  snUieioiit  kr  iwledire  of  ihe  country;  the 
detachment  was  unable  to  reach  the  (lesi<riiate(l  spot,  until  late 
in  the  evening.  In  tiie  jneanwhile,  the  attempt  to  surprise  the 
post  had  been  discovered,  and  it  was  strentrthened  by  considera- 
ble reinforcements  ;  iiotwiihst:milin!i  which,  a  smart  skirmish 
ensued,  and  the  enemy  was  compelled  t(>  abandon  his  position, 
after  losing  eleven  killed  and  wounded,  h(>sides  several  desert- 
ers.  Colonel  Cass,  having  no  orders  to  retain  possession  ol 
it,  although  constitutiiiir  the  principal  obstruction  between  the 
American  camp  and  Maiden,  thought  jiroper  to  retire. 

Tirse  skirmishes,  in  which  the  Americans  were  generally 
successful,  served  to  inspire  confideiu'e,  and,  together  with  the 
proclamation,  had  aneHect  upon  the  Canadians,  many  of  whom 
joined  our  standard,.  a?ul  threw  lliemsclves  (in  Hell  for  protec- 
tion. These  were,  however,  but  j^reludes  to  t!ie  main  object 
in  view,  the  reduction  of  Fort  Maiden.  Preparations  for  this 
purpose  proceeded  slowly ;  no  artillery  was  provided  for  the 
occasion.  It  was  not  until  the  beginning  of  August,  that  two 
twenty-four  pounders  and  three  howitzers  were  mounted,  and 
no  attempt  in  the  meanwhile  had  been  made  upon  the  fort. 
The  capture  of  this  place,  which  would  have  been  necessary  in 
the  prosecution  of  any  further  design,  had  now  become  neces- 
sary to  self-preservation.  A  most  unexpe(;ted  disaster  had 
happened  during  the  last  month  ;  an  event,  to  whieh  many  of 
our  subsequent  misfortunes  are  to  be  attributed.  This  was  the 
surrender  of  Michilimaekinac. 

On  the  IGlh  of  .July,  a  party  of  three  hundred  British 
troops,  and  upwards  of  six  hundred  Iiulians,  eml)arked  at  St 
Joseph's,  and  reached  t!ic  island  next  morninff.  A  prisoner 
was  despatched  to  inform  the  garrison,  and  the  inhabitants  of 
the  village,  that  if  any  resistance  were  made  they  would  all  be 
indiscriminately  put  to  death.  Many  of  the  inhabitants  escaped 
to  the  British  for  protection.  'I'he  garrison  consisted  of  no 
more  than  fifty-six  men,  under  the  command  of  lieutenant 
Hanks,  of  the  artillery.  A  fiag  was  now  sent  by  the  enemy, 
to  the  fort,  demanding  a  surrender.  This  was  the  first  intima- 
tion of  the  declaration  of  war,  which  the  garrison  had  reeeiveil. 
Until  this  moment,  the  American  commandant  had  considered 
this  as  one  of  the  outrages  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  which  of 
late  had  been  frequent;  he  had  therefore  resolved  to  defend 
himself  to  the  last  extremity.  He  now  considered  it  prudent 
to  agree  to  a  cajiitulation,  as  there  was  no  hope  of  being  able 
to  defend  himself  successfully,  against  so  great  a  disparity  of 


i 


iUi 


3i 


liRACKENRlDGE'S 


Tiikinu  of  Micliiliinjickiiiar, 


li  J: 


I, 


P' 


force,  'i'lie  garrison  was  accordingly  delivered  up  ;  security  to 
the  property  and  [)ersons  of  individuals  was  stipulated,  and  the 
British  put  in  possession  of  one  of  tlie  strongest  positions  in  the 
United  Slates,  on  that  account,  sometimes  called  the  American 
Gibraltar.  The  situation  completely  commands  the  northwest 
trade,  which  is  compelled  to  pass  immediately  under  the  guns  of 
the  fort,  and  consequently  aflbrds  the  best  means  of  intercepting 
the  Indian  supplies,  and  of  checking  the  incursic  iis  of  those 
r(!Slless  warriors.  The  blame  of  this  affair  has  been  thrown 
by  some  upon  the  government,  by  others  on  Hull  :  the  follow- 
ing facts  will  enable  the  reader  to  judge.  Hull  reached  De- 
troit on  the  5lh  of  .July,  and  the  fall  of  Michilimackinac 
took  place  on  the  17th.  The  distance  is  two  hundred  and 
forty  miles,  'i'hat  the  British  at  Maiden  should  have  had 
sooner  intelligence  of  the  declaration  of  war,  than  the  American 
general,  is  less  surprising  wlien  wo  consider  the  wonderful 
activity  of  those  engaged  in  the  Indian  trade,  as  well  as  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  regular  establishments,  all  along  the  lakes. 
Notwithstanding  this,  it  is  not  easy  to  account  for  the  tardiness 
with  whicii  the  news  of  war  was  transmitted  from  Detroit  to 
Michilimackinac;  nor  was  this  salisiacLorily  explained  by  the 
American  general. 

Intelligence  of  this  unfortunate  occurrence,  which  so  com- 
pletely changed  the  face  of  affairs,  reached  Hull  on  the  23d  of 
July,  while  engaged  in  making  preparations  for  the  attack  on 
Maiden.  The  British,  by  this  time,  were  considerably  rein- 
forced, and  aided  by  an  additional  number  of  Indians.  The 
golden  moment  had  been  sulFered  to  pass.  It  is  generally  con- 
ceded, that  if  an  assault  had  been  made  on  the  fort  in  the  first 
instance,  it  must  have  fallen.  This  was  the  opinion  of  the 
ol^cers :  the  general,  however,  declined  it  under  various  pre- 
texts. But  having  neglected  this  opportunity,  there  was  no 
longer  any  hope  of  carrying  the  j)lace  without  being  provided 
with  a  train  of  artillery,  and  the  necessary  means  for  a  regular 
assault.  The  necessity  of  possessing  the  post,  became  every 
day  more  apparent.  With  the  fall  of  Michilimackinac,  that  of 
Chicago,  and  all  the  other  western  posts,  might  be  expected  to 
follow,  and  the  Indian  tribes  would  move  down  with  all  the 
force  of  the  Northwest  Company  ;  rendering  the  situation  of 
our  army  extremely  critical.  In  anticipation  of  these  events, 
the  general  hail  sent  repeated  expresses  to  procure  reinforce- 
ments. His  confident  expectations  of  those  reinforcements, 
may  probably  be  one  reason  of  the  slowness  of  his  movements 
against  Maiden,  contenting  himself  with  carrying  on  a  vigilant 
partizaii  war,  in  itself  of  little  consequence.     Reinforcements 


'I 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


35 


HattUs  of  Brownstown. 


;  security  to 
led,  and  the 
itions  in  the 
le  American 
e  northwest 
•  the  guns  of 
intercepting 
MS  of  those 
leen  thrown 
the  follow- 
reached  De- 
nliinackinac 
lundred  and 
d  have    had 
he  American 
e   wonderful 
!ll  as  the  cir- 
ig  the  lakes, 
the  tardiness 
ni  Detroit  to 
ained  by  the 

lich  so  com- 
n  the  23d  of 
le  attack  on 
Jerably  rein- 
dians.     The 
Bnerally  con- 
t  in  the  first 
nion  of  the 
various  pre- 
lere  was  no 
ng  provided 
or  a  regular 
ecame  every 
inac,  that  of 
expected  to 
with  all  the 
situation  of 
hesc  events, 
re  reinforce- 
nforcements, 
movements 
on  a  vigilant 
nforcements 


were  not  hastened,  from  the  belief  that  the  force  under  his  com- 
mand, was  more  than  sufficient  for  all  the  purposes  that  could 
be  accomplished  in  this  quarter. 

The  spirit  which  had  animated  the  troops,  in  the  first  in- 
stance, was  gradually  giving  way  to  the  feelings  of  despon- 
dency ;  while  their  commander  had  by  this  time  nearly  lost 
their  confidence.  By  the  1st  of  August,  every  thing  being 
made  ready  for  the  attack  on  Maiden,  a  council  of  war  was 
convened,  and  tlie  result  was  a  determination  to  make  it  imme- 
diately. Desertions  from  the  Canada  militia  still  continued, 
and  the  whole  force  was  animated  with  the  prospect  of  under- 
taking an  (iutcrprise,  which  it  was  believed  could  not  but  be  suc- 
cessful. 'J'he  cannon  was  well  mounted,  and  embarked  on 
floating  batteries.  The  general  had  approved  the  deliberations 
of  the  council,  and  the  day  was  actually  appointed  for  carry- 
ing them  into  execution. 

Some  lime  before  this,  a  company  of  Ohio  volunteers,  under 
the  command  of  captain  Brush,  had  arrived  at  the  river  Raisin, 
with  supplies  for  the  army.  As  their  march  to  Detroit,  a 
distance  of  thirty-six  miles,  was  attended  with  considerable 
dangers,  from  parties  of  the  enemy,  it  was  deemed  prudent  to 
remain  here  until  an  escort  could  be  sent  to  guard  them.  This 
duty  was  confided  to  major  Vanhorn,  with  a  detachment  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men.  On  his  second  day's  march,  near 
Brownstown,  he  was  suddenly  attacked  on  all  sides  by  British 
regulars  and  Indians.  His  little  force  made  a  determined  re- 
sistance, and  being  commanded  by  a  brave  and  skilful  officer, 
was  at  length  brought  ofl",  with  the  loss  of  nineteen  killed  and 
missing,  and  nine  wounded.  Captains  Gilcrease,  M'CuUoch, 
and  Bostler  were  killed,  and  captain  Ulry  severely  wounded. 

Scarcely  had  this  detachment  left  the  camp  at  Sandwich, 
when  a  sudden  and  unlooked  for  change  took  place  in  the  de- 
termination of  the  commander-in-chief.  Without  any  apparent 
cause,  or  the  occurrence  of  any  new  event,  he  announced  his 
intention  of  abandoning  not  only  the  design  upon  Maiden,  but 
even  the  position  which  he  then  held.  This  operated  very 
unfavourably  upon  the  army;  the  volunteers  "murmured;  they 
upbraided  Iheir  commander  with  pusillanimity,  and  even  trea- 
chery ;  and  it  was  with  difficulty  they  could  be  restrained  by 
their  own  oflieers,  in  whom  they  confided.  The  disappoint- 
ment and  vexation  which  ensued,  can  better  be  imagined  than 
described  :  all  confidence  in  their  leader  was  evidently  at  an 
end  :  if  treacherous,  he  might  deliver  them  up  to  be  massacred  ; 
and  it  was  evident  he  w^as  deficient  in  the  skill  and  ability  ne- 
cessary to  command.    It  was  with  much  reluctance  this  gallant 


.■<rM 


mi 


ll 


(I 


86 


IJRACKENItlDGE'S 


lliitth;  (if  Mii|;a|{im. 


lilllo  uniiy  was  euinpellcd  to  abandon,  alni(»^t  in  disgrace,  the 
Haltering  lioj»es  uliich  lluiv  thought  tlienjselves  on  the  point 
of  realizing.  'IMicy  reached  the  opposite  shore  on  tlie  8lh  of 
August,  where  they  received  the  intelligen<-'e  of  tlie  alFair  of 
major  Vanhorn,  of  the  (hiy  before.  Sucii  was  the  termination 
of  this  cxiiedition  into  (.'anada,  of  whose  success,  an  account 
was  every  monxnit  expected  in  the  United  States.  Happy  had 
it  been  if  the  misfortunes  of  our  arms  had  terminated  Jiere  ! 
The  enemy's  territory  was  not,  however,  entirely  evacuated  ; 
a  detachnieul  of  about  tliree  hundred  men  was  left  to  keep  pos- 
session of  Saiulwich,  principally  with  a  view  of  alFording  some 
protection  to  the  (hmadians  who  had  been  induced  by  Hull's 
](roclaniation  to  join  our  standard. 

One  tiling  was  now  on  all  hands  considered  indispensable, 
the  opening  the  communication  with  the  river  Raisin.  In  a 
few  weeks,  the  army  might  stand  in  need  of  the  supplies  in 
the  possession  of  captain  Brush;  and  at  all  events,  its  situation 
was  rendered  extremely  unpleasant,  by  being  thus  cut  oil"  from 
all  communication  with  the  state  of  Ohio.  'I'o  effect  this  ob- 
ject, a  respectable  force  was  detached  under  lieutenant-colonel 
James  Miller,  of  the  United  States  army,  consisting  of  three 
hundred  regulars  of  the  gallant  Fourth  regiment,  which  had  dis- 
tinguished itself  under  colonel  Boyd,  at  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe, 
and  also  about  two  hundred  militia.  The  enemy,  anticipating 
a  renewal  of  the  attempt,  had  sent  reinforcements  of  regulars 
and  Indians,  so  that  their  force  was  little  short  of  seven  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men :  this  force  might,  moreover,  be  increased 
during  an  engagement,  from  Maiden,  which  is  situated  oppo- 
site IJrowLatown.  They  had  also  thrown  up  a  temporary 
breast-work,  of  trees  and  logs,  about  four  miles  from  this  town, 
at  a  place  called  Magagua,  behind  which  the  greater  part  of  the 
Indians,  under  Tecumseh,  lay  concealed,  waiting  the  approach 
of  the  Americans ;  the  whole  commanded  by  major  Muir,  of 
the  British  army. 

On  the  9th,  our  detachment  proceeded  on  its  march,  but  with 
great  caution,  from  the  danger  of  surprise.  They,  however, 
drew  near  the  ambuscade,  before  it  was  discovered;  when  sud- 
denly the  attack  was  commenced  on  captain  Snelling,  who 
commanded  the  advance,  with  the  usual  barbarous  shouts  of 
the  enemy.  This  corps,  undaunted  by  this  sudden  onset,  kept 
its  ground  until  the  main  body  approached,  when  the  Indians 
sprang  up,  and  with  the  regulars  furiously  advanced  to  the  front 
of  the  breast-work,  where  they  formed  a  regular  line,  and  com- 
menced a  heavy  fire.  Colonel  Miller,  with  the  utmost  celerity 
and  coolness,  drew  up  his  men,  opened  a  brisk  fire,  and  then 


i 


HISTORY  OF  Tiir:  war. 


87 


lisgrace,  the 
m  tlie  point 
n  tlie  Hill  of 
.lie  alFair  of 

lerminalion 
,  an  account 

Happy  had 
inated  here  ! 
'  evacuated  ; 
to  keep  pos- 
fordiiigsonie 
^d  by  Hull's 

idispensable, 
:aisni.     In  a 
supplies  in 
its  situation 
cut  ofl'  from 
ffect  this  ob- 
Miant-coloncl 
ling  of  three 
inch  had  dis- 
Tippccanoe, 
,  anticipating 
s  of  regulars 
seven  hun- 
be  increased 
luated  oppo- 
a  temporary 
)m  this  town, 
it  part  of  the 
the  approacli 
jor  Muir,  of 

rch,  but  with 
iy,  however, 

when  sud- 
nelling,  who 
us  shouts  of 
n  onset,  kept 

the  Indians 
d  to  the  front 
ne,  and  com- 
iiost  celerity 
re,  and  then 


Battle  of  Mnuiiciia Takinc  of  riiirnsn. 


d.    The  Hriiish 


but  the  ludi 


rliargeti.  1  he  nriiisM  regulars  gave  way.  ouiine  Indians  under 
Tecumseh,  betaking  themselves  to  the  woods  on  each  sick',  kept 
their  ground  wilh  (h'speratc  obstinacy.  The  regulars  being 
rallied,  returned  to  ilie  combat,  which  continued  for  some  time, 
with  ecpiai  resolution,  'i'he  conduct  of  our  countrym  n,  on 
this  occasion,  cannot  be  too  much  admired  :  the  stoutest  hearts 
might  have  failed  when  thus  attacked  on  all  sides  by  more  than 
live  hundred  savages,  painted  in  the  most  hideous  manner,  and 
yelling  like  demons;  engaged  at  the  same  time  with  a  body  of 
regulars.  Disregarding  both  the  savage  shrieks  and  the  mus- 
ketry of  the  Hriiish,  the  American  leader  repelled  their  attacks 
on  every  side,  his  troops  gallantly  maintaining  their  ground 
until  the  enemy  was  compelled  to  yield.  They  retired  slowly 
lo  Hrownstown,  literally  retreating  at  the  point  of  tht;  bayonet; 
here  they  hastily  embarked  in  i)oats,  provided  for  their  recep- 
tion. Had  not  this  precaution  been  taken,  it  is  probable  the 
whole  force  would  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans. 
Their  loss  was,  of  the  regulars,  fifteen  killed,  and  thirty  or  forty 
wounded,  but  of  the  Indians  nearly  one  hundred  were  left  on 
the  field.  In  this  battle,  which  lasted  about  two  hours,  we  had 
fifteen  killed,  and  about  sixty  wounded.  The  oflicers  who 
chiefly  distinguished  themselves  were  captain  Baker,  lieuten- 
ants Larrabee  and  Peters,  and  ensign  Whistler.  The  next  day 
at  noon,  colonel  Miller,  who  kept  possession  of  Hrownstown, 
received  orders  to  return  lo  Detroit.  This  was  rendered  ne- 
cessary from  the  fatigue  whi(;h  his  command  had  experienced 
in  the  engagement  of  the  day  before.  It  was  thought  more 
advisabijitoiejp^I  a  fresh  detachment  to  accomplish  the  ultimate 
object.^Bp^ 

An  occurrence  took  place  about  this  time  in  another  quarter, 
which  ought  not  to  be  passed  in  silence.  Captain  Ileahl,  who 
commanded  at  fort  Chicago,  had  received  orders  from  Hidl  to 
abandon  that  post  and  make  his  way  to  Detroit.  He  accord- 
ingly consigned  the  public  property  to  the  care  of  some  friendly- 
Indians;  and  with  his  company,  about  fifty  regulars,  accomp..- 
nied  by  several  families,  which  had  resided  near  this  place,  set 
out  on  his  march.  He  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance 
along  the  beach  of  the  lake,  when  he  was  attacked  by  a  large 
body  of  Indians,  who  occupied  the  bank.  Captain  Heald  as- 
cended the  bank,  and  fought  them  for  some  time,  until  they  had 
gained  his  rear  and  taken  possession  of  his  horses  and  baggage. 
He  then  retired  to  an  open  piece  of  ground,  where  he  was  en- 
abled to  keep  the  Indians  at  bay.  But  finding  that  he  would 
be  compelled  to  yield  at  last,  he  accepted  the  ofier  of  protection 
from  an  Indian  chief.     Twenty-six  regulars  were  killed,  and 


III 


'^ 


38 


fill! 


nUACKHMllDCiF/S 


Burreiidvr  of  (ieiH'ral  Hull. 


all  llie  militia;  a  mimbrr  of  woineti  and  fliildreu  wen*  iiiliu- 
nuuily  nuirdcrod.  (Captain  Wells  and  cn.sijfn  Wariitr  \\v\v 
among  the  killed,  lleald  with  liis  lady,  who  had  received  six 
wounds,  hiinseir  severely  wounded,  after  a  variety  of  eseapes, 
at  length  reached  ^liehilinla(dxina(^ 

'I'ho  vielory  at  Managua,  though  i)rillinnland  hijfhly  honour- 
able lo  the  An»eri(;an  arms,  was  productive  of  no  essential  ad- 
vantage. 'I'wo  days  afterwards,  a  despatch  was  sent  to  captain 
Brush,  who  was  still  in  waitihg  for  the  escort  at  the  river  Rai- 
sin, informing  him  that  in  consequence  of  the  fatigue  of  the 
victorious  detachment,  it  had  been  rendered  incapable  of  pro- 
<!ceding  further,  and  that  it  was  become  impossible  to  send  a 
suflicient  force  by  the  usual  route  ;  that  he  must  therefore  remain 
where  he  was  until  circumstances  should  be  more  favourable. 
In  a  postscript,  the  general  advised  him  that  an  attempt  would 
be  made  to  open  the  communicaii(»n  in  another  quarter,  by 
crossing  the  river  Huron  higher  up  the  country.  And  accord- 
ingly, on  the  14tl),  colonels  iMiller  and  Cass  were  despatched 
with  three  bundled  and  lil'ty  men,  for  this  purpose.  Some  time 
before  this,  an  express  had  been  received  from  general  Hall, 
commanding  at  Niagara,  l)ringing  information  that  it  was  not 
in  his  power  lo  send  reinforcements. 

On  the  19th,  the  British  took  a  position  opposite  Detroit, 
and  immediately  set  themselves  about  erecting  batteries.  On 
their  approach,  major  Denny,  who  commanded  at  Sandwich, 
abandoned  his  position,  and  crossed  over  to  Detroit,  it  having 
been  determined  to  act  entirely  on  the  defensive.  'J'he  British 
continued  their  preparations  for  the  attack.  On  the  15th,  a  flag 
of  truce  was  sent  by  ihem  to  summon  the  place  to  surrender. 
A  note  to  ihe  following  efl'ect  was  directed  to  generd  Hull,  by 
the  British  commander :  "  Sir — 'J'he  forces  at  my  disposal  autho- 
rize me  to  require  of  you  the  surrender  of  Detroit.  It  is  far 
from  my  inclination  to  join  in  a  war  of  extermination,  but  you 
must  be  aware  that  the  numerous  body  of  Indians  wiio  have 
attached  themselves  to  my  troops  will  be  beyond  my  control 
the  moment  the  contest  commences.  You  will  find  me  dis- 
posed to  enter  into  such  conditions  as  will  satisfy  the  most 
scrupulous  sense  of  honour.  Lieutenant-colonel  M'Donald  and 
major  Glegg  are  fu'ly  authorized  to  enter  into  any  arrangements 
that  may  tend  to  pievent  the  unnecessary  effusion  of  blood." 
This  was  signed  by  major-general  Brock. 

To  this  summons  an  answer  was  returned,  that  the  fort 
would  be  defended  to  the  last  extremity.  The  British  imme- 
diately opened  their  batteries,  and  contiimed  to  throw  shelU 
during  a  great  part  of  the  night.     The  fire  was  returned,  but 


IIISTOUY  OF  THE   WAR. 


30 


Hiirrnniler  i>r  Mull. 


II  were  iiiliu- 

rVarner  wimc 

r(M'(!ivcHl  six 

y  of  escapes, 

i'^lily  lioiiour- 
essenlial  ad- 
ciil  lo  eaplaiii 
the  river  Uai- 
I'atigiie  of  the 
ipablc  of  pro- 
ble  to  send  a 
■refore  remain 
re  favourable, 
ittempt  would 
r  quarter,  by 
And  a(!C()rd- 
re  despatched 
e.    Some  time 
jreneral  Hall, 
hat  it  was  not 

posite  Detroit, 
catteries.     On 
at  Sandwich, 
iroit,  it  having 
'J'he  British 
le  ISthjallag 
to  surrender, 
ncr  -.1  Hull,  by 
isposalautho- 
roit.     It  is  far 
ation,  but  you 
ans  wiio  have 
ud  my  control 
find  me  dis- 
tisfy  the  most 
M'Donald  and 
/  arrangements 
ion  of  blood." 

that  the   fort 
British  inime- 
throw  shelli 
returned,  but 


ith  little  efTc 


iih 


{\c.     In  th( 


# 


morning,  it  was  dis* 
covprcd  that  the  Biili^'h  were  laiuWng  their  troops  at  Spring 
Wells,  under  cover  of  their  ships.  To  prevent  the  landing 
from  the  fort,  ;il  this  moment,  was  a  mailer  impossible;  the 
town  lying  between  it  and  the  river.  But  if  Hull  bad  not 
neglected  the  advice  of  his  (»iriceiH,  he  might  have  eirectually 
prevented  it,  by  erecting  b:illeries  on  the  bank,  where  they 
would  be  (rompelied  to  debark.  A  strange  fatality  seemed  to 
attend  this  unforlum.te  man  in  everything  ho  ilid,  or  neglected 
t»  do.  The  enemy  having  landed,  al)out  ten  o'clock  advanced 
towards  the  fort  in  close  ccdunjo,  and  twelve  deep.  'I'lu;  fort 
being  separated  from  the  to\Aii,  by  an  open  space  of  alioiit  two 
liiindred  yards,  they  would  he  enablcMl  to  approach  within  this 
distance,  before  its  guns  could  be  l)rotight  to  bear  u|)on  them, 
unless  they  could  apfiroach  in  the  rear.  The  American  force 
was,  how(!ver,  judiciously  disposed  to  prevent  their  advance. 
The  militia,  and  a  great  part  of  ihe  volunteers,  occu|)i«Ml  the 
town,  or  were  posted  behind  [)ickets,  whence  they  could  annoy 
the  enemy's  flanks;  the  regulars  defended  the  lort,  ami  two 
twenty-four  poimders  charged  with  grape,  were  advanlageously 
posted  on  an  eminence,  and  could  sweep  the  whole  of  the 
enemy's  line,  as  he  advanced.  All  was  now  silent  expecta- 
tion: the  daring  foe  still  slowly  moved  forward,  apparently 
regardless,  or  imconscious  of  their  danger;  for  their  (bstruc- 
tion  must  have  been  certain,  had  they  not  been  impressed  with 
contempt  for  a  commander,  who  had  so  meanly  abandoned 
Sandwich  a  few  days  before.  The  hearts  of  our  countrymen 
beat  high,  at  the  near  prospect  of  regaining  their  credit.  But 
who  can  describe  the  chagrin  and  mortification  whicrh  took 
possession  of  these  troops,  when  orders  were  issued  for  them 
lo  retire  to  the  fort;  and  the  artillery,  at  the  very  moment 
when  it  was  thought  the  British  were  deliberately  advancing 
lo  the  most  certain  destruction,  was  ordered  not  to  fire  !  The 
whole  force,  together  with  a  great  number  of  women  and  chil- 
dren, was  gathered  into  the  fort,  almost  too  narrow  to  contain 
them.  Here  the  troops  were  ordered  to  stack  their  arms,  and 
to  the  astonishment  of  every  one,  a  white  flag,  in  token  of  sub- 
mission, was  suspended  from  t!ie  walls.  A  British  officer 
rode  up  to  ascertain  the  cause.  A  capitulation  was  agreed  to, 
without  even  stipulating  the  terms.  Words  are  wanting  to  ex- 
press the  feelings  of  the  Americans  on  this  occasion  ;  they 
considered  themselves  basely  betrayed,  in  thus  surrendering  to 
an  inferior  force  without  firing  a  gun,  when  they  were  firmly 
convinced  that  that  force  was  in  their  power.  They  had  pro- 
visions for  at  least  fifteen  days,  and  were  provided  with  all  the 


^  ft 


I 


40 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


iSi 


II 


m 


Surrender  of  Hull. 


i 


1^ 


requisite  munitions  of  war.  They  were  compellet'.,  thus  hu- 
miliated, to  marcli  out,  and  to  surrender  themselves  prisoners 
at  discretion.  The  British  took  immediate  possession  of  ihe 
fort,  with  all  the  public  property  it  contained  ;  amongst  which 
there  were  forty  barrels  of  powder,  four  hundred  rounds  of 
fixed  twenty-four  pound  shot,  one  hundred  thousand  ball  car- 
tridges, two  ihousanil  five  hundred  stand  of  arms,  twenty-five 
pieces  of  iron  cannon,  and  eight  of  brass,  the  greater  number  of 
which  had  been  captured  by  the  Americans  during  the  revolu- 
tionary war. 

'J'hc  whole  territory,  and  all  the  forts  and  garrisons  of  the 
United  Stales,  within  the  district  of  the  general,  were  also 
formally  surrendered ;  and  the  detachment  under  colonels 
Cass  and  M'Arthur,  as  well  as  the  party  under  captain  Brush, 
were  included  in  the  capitulation.  Orders  had  been  despatched 
the  evening  before,  for  the  detachment  under  Cass  and  M'Ar- 
thur to  return,  and  they  had  approached  almost  sufliciently 
near  to  discover  tlie  movements  of  the  enemy,  while  their  ac- 
cidental situation  might  enable  them  to  render  the  most 
material  service  during  the  attack.  'J'hey  were  surprised  at 
the  silence  which  prevailed,  when  every  moment  was  expected 
to  announce  the  conllict;  and  that  surj)rise  was  soon  changed 
into  rage,  when  they  learned  the  capitulation.  A  Britis!j 
officer  was  then  despatched  to  the  river  Raisin,  to  convey  the 
intelligence  to  captain  Brush,  who  at  first  gave  no  credit  to  so 
improbable  a  tale,  and  actually  put  the  officer  in  confinement. 
The  melancholy  story  was,  however,  soon  confirmed  by  some 
Americans  who  had  escaped.  Captain  Brush  indignantly  re- 
fused to  submit  to  the  capitulation,  declaring  that  Hull  had  no 
right  to  include  him,  and  determined  to  return  to  the  state  of 
Ohio.  He  first  deliberated,  whether  he  should  destroy  the 
public  stores,  which  he  had  in  his  possession,  and  which  he 
could  not  carry  away  ;  but  refiecting  that  this  might  be  used  as 
a  pretext  for  harsh  treatment  to  his  countrymen,  he  resolved 
to  abandon  them.  The  greater  part  of  the  volunteers  and 
militia,  were  permitted  to  return  home ;  but  the  regulars,  to- 
gether with  the  general,  were  taken  to  Quebec. 

In  his  official  despatch,  Hull  took  great  pains  to  free  his  con- 
duct from  censure.  In  swelling  the  account  of  the  dangers 
with  which  he  conceived  himself  beset,  every  idle  rumour 
which  had  operated  on  his  fears,  was  placed  under  contribu- 
tion, while  his  imagination  conjured  up  a  thousand  frightful 
phantoms.  He  magnified  the  reinforcements  under  colonel 
Proctor,  and  gave  implicit  belief  to  the  story  that  the  whole 
force  of  the  Northwestern  Fur  Company,  under  major  Cham- 


-Si 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


41 


f^urrender  of  Hull. 


!lle(!,  thus  hu- 
Ives  prisoners 
session  of  the 
nongst  whii:h 
ed  rounds  of 
isand  ball  car- 
is,  twenly-five 
ater  number  ot 
ntr  the  revolu- 

rrisons  of  the 
ral,  were  also 
inder   colonels 
caplnin  Brush, 
een  despatched 
ass  and   M'Ar- 
jst  sufTicienily 
while  their  ac- 
ider    the    moyt 
re  surprised  at 
I  was  expected 
s  soon  changed 
m.     A    British 
,  to  convey  the 
no  credit  to  so 
n  confinement, 
[irmed  by  some 
indignantly  re- 
lat  Hull  had  no 
to  the  stale  of 
.lid  destroy  the 
and   which  he 
ijrht  he  used  as 
en,  he  resolved 
volunteers   and 
16  regulars,  to- 

to  free  his  con- 
of  the  dangers 
ry  idle  rumour 
under  contribu- 
(usand  frightful 
under  colonel 
that  the  whole 
jr  major  Cham- 


bers, was  approaching ;  nothing,  in  fact,  was  forgotten,  which 
could  heighten  the  picture,  or  tend  to  take  the  blame  from 
him.  Wliile  on  the  Canada  side,  it  was  impossible  to  effect 
any  thing  against  Maiden,  from  the  difiiculty  of  transporting 
his  artillery.  Every  thing  is  dilHcult  to  a  man  who  wants  the 
necessary  talents.  The  British  garrison  had  been  wonderfully 
strengthened,  and  at  this  critical  moment,  general  Hall,  of 
Niagara,  announced  that  it  was  not  in  iiis  power  to  assist  him. 
What  then  could  be  done  but  to  cross  over  to  Detroit,  that  is, 
to  abandon  tiie  inhabitants  of  Canada,  who  had  placed  them- 
selves under  his  protection  ;  to  fly,  before  the  enemy  had  even 
attem])ted  to  attack  or  molest  him,  and  thus  encourage  them  in 
wiiat  they  would  never  probably  have  thought  it  possible  to 
accomplish. 

But  what  appears  most  to  figure,  in  this  attempted  vindica- 
tion, is  the  frightful  display  of  Indian  auxiliaries.  The  whole 
"  Northern  hive,"  as  he  called  it,  was  let  loose  :  Winnebagos, 
Wyandots,  Hurons,  Chippeways,  Knistenoos  and  Algonquins, 
Pottowatomies,  Sacks  and  Kickapoos,  were  swarming  in  the 
neighouring  woods,  and  concealed  behind  every  bush,  ready 
to  rush  to  the  indiscriminate  slaughter  of  the  Americans.  Me 
represented  his  situation  at  the  moment  of  surrender,  as  most 
deplorable.  In  consequence  of  the  absence  of  colonels  Cass 
and  M'Arthur,  he  could  not  bring  more  than  six  hundred  men 
into  the  field,  and  he  was,  moreover,  destitute  of  all  necessary 
supplies  and  munitions  of  war:  yet,  by  the  morning's  report, 
his  force  exceeded  a  thousand  men  fit  for  duty,  besides  the  de- 
tachment which  might  be  expected  to  arrive,  about  the  time  of 
the  engagement;  and  also  three  hundred  Michigan  militia  who 
who  were  out  on  duty,  which  would  make  his  force  upwards 
of  sixteen  hundred.  This  force  was  much  superior  to  that 
of  the  British,  which  consisted  of  about  seven  hundred  regu- 
lars, one  half  of  which  was  nothing  more  than  militia  dressed 
in  uniform,  for  the  purpose  of  deception,  and  about  six  hundred 
Indians.  Every  other  part  of  his  statement  was  proved,  by 
the  officers  under  his  command,  to  have  been  incorrect  or  ex- 
aggerated. The  most  ordin  'y  exertion  would  have  sufficed, 
to  have  completely  destroyed  the  British  force.  He  declared, 
that  he  was  actuated  by  a  desire  to  spare  the  elFusion  of  hu- 
man blood!  If  he  had  designedly  intended  the  destructicii  of 
his  feilow-citizens,  he  could  not  have  fallen  upon  a  more  un- 
fortunate measure ;  for  by  thus  opening  the  frontier  to  the 
tomahawk  of  the  savage,  and  giving  reasons  to  our  enemy  for 
rf'presenting  us  as  contemptible  in  arms,  he  invited  those  very 
savages,  which  he  so  much   dreaded,  to  throw  ofT  every  re- 


1 

i 


D 


* 


42 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Surrender  of  Hull. 


iiii 


straint,  and  declare  themselves  our  foes.  He  might  have  fore- 
seen, that  a  considerable  force  would  be  sent  by  the  British, 
for  the  purpose  of  retaining  this  province,  and  that  our  country- 
would  be  compelled  to  suffer  an  immense  expense  of  blood  and 
treasure,  before  our  possessions  here  could  be  regained.  Al- 
though this  afterwards  became  the  theatre  of  war,  where  many 
of  our  countrymen  gained  military  renown,  yet  the  effect  of 
this  lamentable  occurrence  was  visible  in  every  subsequent 
transaction  on  the  borders  of  Canada. 

The  sensations  produced  by  this  occurrence,  throughout  the 
United  States,  and  particularly  in  the  Western  country,  can 
scarcely  be  described.  At  first  no  one  could  believe  an  event 
so  extraordinary  and  unexpected  ;  the  public  mind  was  so  en- 
tirely unprepared  for  it,  that  universal  astonishment  was  occa- 
sioned. Whatever  doubts  might  have  been  entertained,  of  his 
being  able  to  subdue  the  country  which  he  had  invaded,  there 
were  none  of  his  being  able  to  defend  himself.  Never  was  any 
people  more  deeply  and  universally  chagrined.  This  event, 
in  a  country  where  every  man  has  a  personal  feeling  for  the 
honour  and  welfare  of  the  nation,  naturally  awakened  the  strong- 
est sympathy  with  the  friends  and  families  of  the  brave  sol- 
diers who  had  been  thus  wretchedly  surrendered  by  their  com- 
mander. 

The  general  was  afterwards  exchanged  for  thirty  British 
prisoners.  Neither  the  government  nor  the  people  were  satis- 
fied with  his  defence.  The  affair  was  solemnly  investigated 
by  a  court  martial.  He  was  charged  with  treason,  cowardice, 
and  unofficer-like  conduct.  On  the  first  charge,  the  court  de- 
clined giving  an  opinion;  on  the  two  last  he  was  sentenced  to 
death;  but  wns  recommended  to  mercy  in  consequence  of  his 
revolutionary  services,  and  h's  advanced  age.  The  sentence 
was  remitted  by  the  President;  but  his  name  was  ordered  to 
be  struck  from  the  rolls  of  the  army.  'J'he  general  afterwards 
published  an  elaborate,  but  hopeless  vindication. 


:.¥S 


m::%  . 


m 


■ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


43 


Naval  Events Cruise  of  Commodore  Rodgers. 


It  have  fore- 
ihe  British, 
our  country 
of  blood  and 
Tained.  Al- 
where  many 
the  effect  of 
'  subsequent 

roughout  the 
country,  can 
eve  an  event 
1  was  so  en- 
int  was  occa- 
Lained,  of  his 
ivaded,  there 
ever  was  any 
This  event, 
eling  for  the 
ed  the  strong- 
he  brave  sol- 
oy  their  com- 

hirty  British 
e  were  satis- 
investigated 
1,  cowardice, 
Lhe  court  de- 
sentenced  to 
[uence  of  his 
'he  sentence 
s  ordered  to 
al  afterwards 


CHAPTER  in. 


Naval  Events — Cruise  of  Commodore  Rodgers — The  President  captures  the  Belvi- 
dera — Cruise  of  Captain  Hull — The  Constitution  captures  the  Guerriere — Commo- 
dore Porter  raptures  the  Alert — Cruise  of  the  President  and  the  Congress — of  th« 
Argus — The  Cnitcd  States  cajitures  the  Macedonian — The  V\'asp  captures  the  Frolic 
— Exploits  of  American  Privateers — Results  of  the  Naval  Warfare — Sensations  excited 
in  England. 

The  common  observation,  that  evils  do  not  come  alone,  but 
with  others  linked  in  their  train,  was  happily  not  verified,  at 
the  period  of  the  misfortunes  of  our  arms  in  the  west.  The 
nation,  overspread  with  gloom  in  consequence  of  this  unex- 
pected disaster,  was  suddenly  consoled  in  the  most  jileasing 
manner.  A  new  and  glorious  era  burst  upon  our  country. 
The  historian  will  record  the  fact,  that  the  same  year  whicli 
.saw  prostrated  the  despot  of  the  land,  also  beheld  the  pride 
of  the  tyrant  of  the  ocean  completely  humbled.  A  series  of  the 
most  brilliant  exploits,  on  that  element,  raised  our  naval  re- 
nown, to  a  height  which  excited  the  surprise  and  admiration 
of  Europe. 

At  the  moment  of  the  declaration  of  war,  a  squadron  under 
commodore  Rodgers,  had  rendezvoused  under  the  orders  of  the 
government,  off  Sandy  Hook.  'IMie  squadron  consisted  of  the 
frigates  I'resident,  Congress,  United  Slates,  and  the  brig  Hor- 
net. On  the  21st  of  June  they  put  to  sea,  in  pursuit  of  a  Bri- 
tish squadron,  which  had  sailed  as  the  convoy  of  the  West 
India  (lect,  the  preceding  month.  While  thus  engaged,  the 
British  frigate  Belvidera  was  discovered,  to  which  they  instantly 
gave  chase.  The  chase  was  continued  from  early  in  the  morn- 
ing until  past  four  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  Piesident,  out- 
sailing the  other  vessels,  had  come  within  gun  shot.  She  opened 
a  lire  with  her  bow  guns,  intending  to  cripple  the  Belvidera, 
which  returned  it  with  her  stern  cliasers.  The  firing  was  ke()t 
up  for  ten  minutes,  when  one  of  the  guns  of  the  President 
burst,  killed  and  wounded  sixteen  men,  ami  fractured  the  leg  of 
the  commodore.     By  this  accident,  and  the  explosion  of  tho 


44 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


r'^": 


i-  «;■ 


?    iff 


Tilt  Prcsidnnt  raptures  tlie  Bclvidera Cruise  of  Captain  Hull. 

passing-box,  the  decks  were  so  mucli  shattered,  as  to  render 
the  guns  on  that  siilc  useless.  The  ship  was  then  put  about, 
and  a  broadside  fired,  but  without  the  desired  efTect,  though 
considerable  injury  was  done  the  Belvidera.  This  vessel,  hav- 
ing thrown  overboard  every  thing  she  could  spare,  now  gained 
jjround.  The  chase  was  continued  until  eleven  o'clock  at 
night,  before  it  was  deemed  hopeless.  Tiie  squadron  then 
continued  its  pursuit  of  the  convoy,  which  it  did  not  give  over 
until  within  sight  of  the  Hriiish  channel ;  then  stood  for  the 
l^^land  of  Madeira  ;  and  thence,  passing  the  Azores,  stood  for 
Newfoundland,  and  thence,  by  Cape  Sable,  arrived  at  Boston 
the  30th  of  August,  having  nnade  prize  of  several  British  ves- 
sels ;  but,  owing  to  the  haziness  of  the  weather,  they  were  less 
successful  than  might  have  been  expected. 

The  frigate  Essex  went  to  sea  from  New  York,  on  the 
3d  of  July  ;  the  Constitution  sailed  from  the  Chesapeake  on 
the  r2th  ;  the  brigs  Nautilus,  Viper,  and  Vixen,  were  at  the 
same  time  cruising  ofl"  liie  coast;  tlie  sloop  of  war  Wasp  was  at 
sea  on  her  return  lioin  France. 

The  Constitution,  captain  Hull,  had  sailed  from  Annapolis  on 
the  5th  of  July.  On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  ofl'  Egg  Harbour, 
she  was  chased  by  a  ship  of  the  line,  the  Africa,  and  the  fri- 
gates Shannon,  Guerriere,  Belvidera,  and  iEolus.  These  ves- 
sels were  approaching  rapidly  with  a  fine  breeze,  while  it  was 
nearly  a  calm  about  the  Constitution.  At  sunrise  the  next 
morning,  escape  from  the  enemy  was  almost  hopeless,  as  they 
were  then  within  five  miles,  'i'he  Constitution  was  therefore 
cleared  for  action,  determined  to  make  a  desperate  resistance. 
The  enemy  still  drawing  near,  captain  Hull  resolved  to  make 
another  effort  to  escape.  lk)ats  were  sent  ahead,  with  anchors 
for  the  purpose  of  warping,  there  prevailing  almost  a  calm. 
The  others  finding  the  Constitution  gaining  upon  them,  resor- 
ted to  the  same  expec!  ent.  The  chase  continued  in  this  man- 
ner for  two  days,  partly  sailing  with  light  breezes,  and  partly 
warping,  until  the  20th,  whtMi  the  squadron  was  left  entirely 
out  of  sight.  This  escape  from  so  great  a  disparity  of  force, 
was  considered  as  deserving  a  high  rank  in  naval  exploits,  and 
was  much  admired  at  the  time,  as  evincing  superior  nautical 
skill.  The  advantage  to  the  British  in  this  chase  was  consi- 
derable, when  we  reflect  that  their  foremost  vessel  had  the  as- 
sistance of  all  the  boats  of  the  squadron,  for  the  purpose  of 
towing.  The  superiority  of  captain  Hull,  was  that  of  seaman- 
ship alone.  This  superiority  was  sometimes  afterwards  proved 
in  a  most  remarkable  manner  :  while  naval  iiistory  lasts  it  will 
not  be  forgotten. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


45 


lin  Hull. 

s  to  render 
put  about, 
cct,  though 
I'essel,  hav- 
[low  gaintd 
o'chjck  at 
adroii  then 
)t  give  over 
)od  for  the 
;,  stood  for 
1  at  Boston 
British  ves- 
y  were  less 

»rk,  on  the 
sapeake  on 
were  at  the 
>Vasp  was  at 

.nnapolis  on 
^g  Harbour, 
and  the  fri- 
Thcse  ves- 
vhile  it  was 
3e  the  next 
ess,  as  they 
is  tlierefore 
!  resistance, 
ed  to  make 
/ith  anchors 
)st  a  cairn, 
hem,  resor- 
n  this  man- 
and  partly 
eft  entirely 
ty  of  force, 
xploits,  and 
ior  nautical 
was  consi- 
had  the  as- 
purpose  of 
of  seaman- 
ards  proved 
lasts  it  will 


Tin-  ("(institution  captures  the  Ciicrriore 


'J'he  Consiilution  again  put  to  sea,  on  tlie  2(1  of  September. 
On  the  19ih,  a  vessel  hove  in  sight,  and  a  chase  instantly 
commenced.  It  was  soon  discovered  to  be  the  Guerriere,  one 
of  the  best  frigates  in  the  British  navy;  and  which  seemed  not 
averse  from  the  rencontre,  as  she  backed  her  main  topsail,  wait- 
ing for  the  Constitution  to  come  down.  This  was  a  most 
desirable  occurrence  to  our  brave  tars,  as  this  frigate  iiad  for 
some  time  been  in  search  of  an  American  frigate,  having  given 
a  formal  challenge  to  all  our  vessels  of  the  same  class.  She 
had  at  one  of  her  mast  heads  a  flag,  on  which  her  name  was 
inscribed  in  large  characters,  by  way  of  gasconade,  and  on  ano- 
ther, the  words,  "  Not  the  Little  Belt,"  in  allusion  to  the  broad- 
sides which  the  President  had  given  that  vessel,  before  the 
war.  The  (Juerriere  had  looked  into  several  of  our  ports,  and 
afiected  to  be  exceedingly  anxious  to  earn  the  first  laurel  from 
the  new  enemy,  'i'he  Constitution  being  madi^  ready  for 
action,  now  bore  down,  her  crew  giving  thret  heers.  At 
first  it  was  the  intention  of  captain  Hul'  to  bri  -f!-  iver  to  close 
action  immediately  ;  but  on  coming  within  gun-snot,  she  gave 
a  broadside  and  filled  away,  then  wore,  giving  a  broadside  on 
the  other  tack,  but  without  elVect.  They  now  continued  wear- 
ing, and  man(euvring,  on  both  sides,  for  three  quarters  of  an  hour, 
tlie  Guerriere  attempting  to  take  a  raking  position  ;  but  failing 
in  this,  she  bore  up,  and  ran  with  her  topsail  and  jib  on  the  quar- 
ter. The  Constitution,  perceiving  this,  made  sail  to  come  up 
wi'h  her.  Captain  Hull,  with  admirable  coolness,  received  the 
enemy's  fire,  without  returning  it.  The  enemy,  mistaking 
this  conduct  on  the  part  of  the  American  commander,  continued 
to  pour  out  his  broadsides  with  a  view  to  cripple  his  antagonist. 
From  the  Constitution,  not  a  gun  had  been  fired.  Already  had 
an  officer  twice  come  on  deck,  with  information  that  several  of 
tin  men  had  been  killed  at  their  guns.  The  gallant  crew, 
though  burning  with  impatience,  silently  awaited  the  orders  of 
their  commander.  The  moment  so  long  looked  for,  at  last 
arrived.  Sailing-master  Aylwin  having  seconded  the  views 
of  the  captain,  with  admirable  skill,  in  bringing  the  vessel  ex- 
actly to  the  station  intended,  orders  were  given  at  five  minutes 
before  five  P.  M.  to  lire  broadside  after  broadside,  in  quick 
succession.  The  crew  instantly  discovered  the  whole  plan, 
and  entered  into  it  with  all  the  spirit  the  circumstance  was  cal- 
culated to  inspire.  Never  was  any  firing  so  dreadful.  For 
fifteen  minutes  the  vivid  lightning  of  the  Constitution's  guns 
continued  one  blaze,  and  their  thunder  roared  with  scarce  an 
intermission.  Tiie  enemy's  mizen-mast  had  gone  by  the  board, 
and  he  stood  exposed  to  a  raking  fire,  which  swept  his  decks. 


"t  E  % 


40 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


The  Con.'titiitiiiii  ruptures  the  Giierriere. 

T'.ie  Guerricre  had  now  'oocomo  unmanageable  ;  her  liull,  rig- 
ging and  sails  dreadfully  torn  ;  when  the  Conslilution  allcmptcd 
to  lay  her  on  board.  At  this  moment  lieutenant  liush,  in  at- 
tempting to  throw  his  Uiarinos  on  board,  was  killed  by  a  mus- 
ket ball,  a)ul  the  enemy  shot  ahead,  but  could  not  be  brought 
before  the  wind.  A  rakintr  fire  now  continued  for  fifteen  min- 
utes  longer,  when  !iis  mninmast  and  foremast  went,  taking  with 
them  every  spar,  excepting  the  bowsprit.  On  seeing  this,  the 
firing  ceased,  and  at  twenty-five  minutes  past  five  she  surren- 
dered. "In  thirty  minutes,"  says  captain  Hull,  "  after  we 
got  fairly  alongsitle  of  the  enemy,  she  surre dered,  and  liad 
not  a  spar  standing,  and  her  hull,  above  and  below  water,  so 
sliattered,  that  a  few  more  broadsides  must  have  carried  her 
down."  'i'he  Guerriere  was  so  much  damaged,  as  to  render 
it  impossible  to  l)ring  her  in  ;  she  was  therefore  set  fire  to  the 
next  day,  and  blown  up.  The  damage  sustained  by  the  Con- 
stitution was  comparatively  of  so  little  consequence,  that  she 
actually  made  ready  for  action,  when  a  vessel  appeared  in  sight 
the  next  day.  'I'he  loss  on  board  the  Guerriere  was  fifteen 
killed,  and  sixty-three  wounded  :  on  the  side  of  the  Constitution, 
seven  killed  and  seven  wounded.  It  is  pleasing  to  observe, 
that  even  the  British  commander,  on  this  occasion,  bore  testi- 
mony to  the  humanity  and  generosity  with  which  he  was 
treated  by  the  victors.  The  American  frigate  was  somewhat 
superior  in  force,  by  a  few  guns  ;  but  this  difference  bore  no 
comparison  to  the  disparity  of  the  conflict.  The  Guerriere 
was  thought  to  be  a  match  for  any  vessel  of  her  class,  and  had 
been  ranked  amongst  the  largest  in  the  British  navy.  The 
Constitution  arrived  at  Boston  on  the  28th  of  August,  having 
captured  several  merchant  vessels. 

Never  did  any  event  spread  such  universal  joy  over  the 
whole  country.  The  gallant  Hull,  and  his  equally  gallant 
ofBcers,  were  received  with  entliusiastic  demonstrations  of 
gratitude,  wherever  they  appeared.  He  was  presented  with 
the  freedom  of  all  the  cities  through  which  he  passed  on  his 
way  to  the  seat  of  government,  and  with  many  valuable  dona- 
lions.  Congress  voted  fifty  thousand  dollars  to  the  crew,  as  a 
recompense  for  tlie  loss  of  the  prize,  and  the  executive  promo- 
ted several  of  the  officers.  Sailing-master  Aylwin,  who  had 
been  severely  wounded,  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieuten- 
ant, and  lieutenant  Morris,  who  had  been  also  wounded,  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  pnst-captain.  'i'his  affair  was  not  less 
mortifying  to  Great  liritain,  who  for  thirty  years  had  iu  no 
instance  lost  a  frigate  in  any  thing  like  an  equal  conflict. 

The  public  mind  was  now  continually  excited  by  some  new 


i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


47 


r  hull,  rig' 
1  attempted 
iush,  in  at- 

by  a  m US- 
be  brought 
fifteen  min- 
takiug  with 
iig  this,  the 
she  surren- 
"  after  wc 
d,  and  had 
IV  water,  so 
carried  her 
s  to  render 
,  fire  to  the 
ly  the  Con- 
26,  that  she 
ired  in  sight 

was  fifteen 
!onstitution, 

to  observe, 
P  bore  testi- 
ich  he  was 
s  somewhat 
ice  bore  no 
Guerriere 

ss,  and  had 
|iavy.     The 

ust,  having 

•y  over  the 
[ally  gallant 
;trations    of 
Isented  with 
Issed  on  his 
In  able  dona- 
crew,  as  a 
Itive  promo- 
\\,  who  had 
of  lieuten- 
Linded,   was 
was  not  less 
had  in  no 
bflict. 
some  new 


I 


Commodore  Porter  iiii>tiirts  tlic  Alert. 

series  of  naval  exploits.     'I'hcre  was  scarcely  lime  for  one  vic- 
tory to  bcconie   familiar,  before  another  was  announced.     On 
the  7tii  of  September,  commodore  Porter  of  the  Essex,  entered 
the  Delaware  after  a  most  active  and  successful  cruise.     He  h:.d 
sailed  from  New  York  on  the  yd  of  July,  and  shortly  after  fell 
in  with   a  lleet  of  merchantmen   under    convoy  of  a    frigate. 
Having  kept  at  a  distance   until  nigiit,  she  cut  of]' a  brio-,  wiili 
a  hundred  and  fifty  soldiers  on  board,  which  was  ransomed  for 
fourteen   thousand   dollars ;    the  men   were    disarmed  and  re- 
leased, on  taking  an  oath  not  to  serve  against  us  during  the 
war.     The  commodore  regretted,   in  his   letter  to   the  secre- 
tary  of   the    navy,   that   he    had   not    had   with  him   a   sloop 
of  war,  as  in  this  case  he  could  have  engaged  the  frigate,  while 
the  convoy  were  kept  emi)Ioyed;  and  he  could  then    have  cap- 
tured the  whole  fleet,  consisting  of  several  sail,  and  having  two 
thousand  men  on  board,  including  the  crew  and  transports.     On 
the  13th  of  August,  the  Essex  I'ell  in  with  the  Alert  sloop  of  war, 
and  captured  her,  after  an  action  of  eight  minutes  :  the  Alert  had 
mistaken  this  frigate  for  the  Hornet,  of  which  she  was  in  pur- 
suit, and    actually  commenced    the    engagement,   by  running 
down  and  pouring  a  broadside   into   the   Essex.     \Vhen  she 
struck  her  colours  but  three   men  were  wounded,  but  she  had 
seven  feet  of  water  in  her  hold.     The  frigate  did  not  suffer  the 
slightest  injury.     Commodore  Porter,  being  embarrassed  with 
his  prisoners,  who  exceeded  five  hundred  in  number,  concluded 
to  convert  the  Alert  into  a  cartel,  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  an 
exchange.     Her  guns   were   throv/n  overboard,  and  she   was 
ordered  to  proceed  to  St  John's,  under  the  command  of  a  lieu- 
tenant of  the  Essex.     The   British  commander  at  that  place 
protested  strongly  against  the  practice  of  converting  captured 
vessels  into  cartels;  but  in  this  instance  was  willing,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  attention  which  commodore  Porter  had  uniformly 
shown  to  British  prisoners,  to  consent  to  the  proposed  exchange. 
On  the  afternoon  of  the  30th  of  August,  a  British   frigate  was 
seen  standing  towards  the  Essex;  j)reparation  was  immediately 
made  for  action,  and  she  stood  towards  the  enemy.     Night  in- 
tervening, the  Essex   hoisted  lights   to  prevent  a  separation, 
which  were  answered  ;  but  at  daylight,  to   the  mortification  of 
the  crew,  who  were  anxious   to  support  the   cause  of  "  Free 
trade  and  sailor's  rights,"  the  enemy  had  disappeared.     On  the 
4lh  of  September,  near  St  George's  banks,  two  ships  of  war  were 
been  to  the  southward,  and  a  brig  to  the  northward,  to  which 
the  Essex  gave  chase,  but  the  winds  being  light,  she  made  her 
escape.     The  Essex  was  afterwards  chased  by  the  two  ship 


m 


48 


liRACKENKDGE'S 


Cruise  of  the  President  and  the  Congress— of  the  Arguti. 

seen  to  llie  southward,  but  escaped  in  the  night  by  skilful  man- 
CBUvrinfT. 

On  the  8th  of  October,  a  squadron,  consisting  of  the  Presi- 
dent, the  United  Stales,  Congress  and  the  Argus,  sailed  from 
IJoston  on  a  cruise.  On  tlie  13th,  the  United  States  and 
Argus  parted  from  the  rest  in  a  gale  of  wind.  A  few  days 
afterwards,  the  i'resident  and  Congress  had  tlie  good  fortune 
to  capture  the  British  packet  Swallow,  with  two  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  on  board,  and  on  the  30th  of  December  arrived  at 
IJoston,  after  a  very  successful  cruise. 

The  Argus  was  not  less  fortunate  ;  after  parting  from  the 
squadron,  she  cruised  in  every  direction,  between  the  continent 
and  the  West  Indies,  and  after  being  out  ninety-six  days,  she 
returned  to  New  York,  with  prizes  to  the  amount  of  two  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars.  She  made  various  hairbreadth  escapes: 
at  one  time  she  was  chased  by  a  British  squadron  for  three 
days,  and  several  times  almost  surrounded ;  she  was  one  mo- 
ment within  pistol  shot  of  a  seventy-four,  and  yet,  in  the  midst 
of  all  this  peril,  she  actually  captured  and  manned  one  of  her 
prizes. 

The  United  States,  commanded  by  that  distinguished  officer 
commodore  Decatur,  soon  after  her  separation  from  the  squad- 
ron, had  the  good  fortune  to  add  another  victory  to  our  naval 
ciironiclo,  not  less  glorious  than  that  of  the  Constitution.  On 
the  25tli  of  October,  off  the  Western  Islands,  she  fell  in  with 
the  Macedonian,  captain  Carden,  a  frigate  of  the  largest  class, 
carrying  forty-nine  guns  and  three  hundred  men.  The  Mace- 
donian, being  to  windward,  had  it  in  her  power  to  choose 
her  distance,  and  at  no  time  were  they  nearer  than  musket 
shot;  from  this  circumstance,  and  the  prevalence  of  a  heavy 
sea,  the  action  lasted  nearly  two  hours.  The  superiority  of 
the  American  gunnery,  in  this  action,  was  very  remarkable, 
both  for  its  greater  rapidity  and  effect.  From  the  continued 
blaze  of  her  guns,  the  United  States  was,  at  one  moment, 
thought  by  her  antagonist  to  be  on  fire  ;  a  mistake  of  very  short 
duration.  On  board  the  Macedonian  there  were  thirty-six 
killed  and  sixty-eight  wounded.  She  lost  her  mainmast,  and 
main  topmast  and  mainyard,  and  was  much  cut  up  in  her  hull. 
The  United  States  suffered  so  little,  that  a  return  to  port  was 
not  necessary :  she  had  only  five  killed,  and  seven  wounded. 
Among  the  killed  were  lieutenant  Funk,  of  whom  the  commo- 
dore spoke  in  the  highest  terms.  Lieutenant  Allen  was  on 
this  occasion  highly  applauded.  'J'he  commodore  arrived  at 
New  York  on  the  4lh  of  December,  with  his  prize.  Decatur, 
already  a  universal  favourite,  experienced  the  same  demonslra- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


49 


skilful  man- 

r  the  Presi- 
sailed  from 
Stales  and 
A  few  days 
pod  fortune 
Midred  tliou- 
er  arrived  at 

ig  from  the 
he  continent 
ix  days,  she 
of  two  hun- 
dlh  escapes : 
3n  for  three 
vas  one  mo- 
in  the  midst 
d  one  of  her 

lished  officer 
Ti  the  squad- 
to  our  naval 
ilution.     On 

fell  in  with 
argest  class. 

'J'he  Mace- 
r  to  choose 
ihan  musket 

of  a  heavy 
uperiority  of 

remarkable, 
le  continued 
ne  moment, 
of  very  short 
re  thirty-six 
ainmast,  and 

in  her  hull. 

to  port  was 
m  wounded. 

the  coramo- 
Uen  was  on 

e  arrived  at 
e.  Decatur, 
E3  demonslra- 


TIk;  I  'iiiti  (I  States  i'a[itiiris  llic  .M,-ir*'<liiiiiaii 'I'lie  Wasp  rn|itiir»"!<  lh<'  Frolir. 

lions  of  gratitude,  as  were  made  to  captain  Hull  :  nor  was 
there  denied  him  that  new  species  of  praise,  which  the  gene- 
rous conduct  of  our  heroic  seamen  has  uniformly  drawn  forth, 
the  praise  of  the  enemy.  All  the  private  property  belonging  to 
the  men  and  ollicers  on  board  the  Macedonian,  was  restored  to 
the  captured  with  the  most  rigid  exactitude  ;  and  their  treatment 
was  the  most  polite  and  humane. 

The  feelings  of  the  nation  had  scarcely  time  to  subside,  when 
the  welcome  news  of  another  victory  was  received  ;  a  victory 
over  an  enemy  most  decidedly  superior  in  force,  and  under  cir- 
cumstances the  most  f  /ourahle  to  him.  This  was  the  capture 
of  the  brig  Frolic,  of  twenty-two  guns,  by  the  sloop  of  war 
Wasp.  Captain  Jones  had  returned  from  France,  two  weeks 
after  the  declaration  of  war,  and  on  the  13th  of  October  again 
put  to  sea.  On  the  10th  he  experienced  a  heavy  gale,  in 
which  the  Wasp  lost  her  jib-boom  and  two  men.  On  the 
evening  of  the  following  day,  the  Wasp  found  herself  near  five 
strange  sail,  and  as  two  of  them  appeared  to  be  ships  of  war, 
it  was  thought  proper  to  keep  at  a  distance.  At  daylight  on 
Sunday  morning,  they  were  discovered  to  be  six  merchant 
ships,  from  Honduras  to  England,  under  a  strong  convoy  of  a 
brig  and  two  ships,  armed  with  sixteen  guns  eacji.  Tlie  brig, 
which  proved  to  be  the  Frolic,  captain  Whinyates,  dropped  be- 
hind, while  the  others  made  sail.  The  Wasp,  being  prepared 
for  action,  at  thirty-two  minutes  past  eleven  o'clock,  came  down 
to  windward  in  handsome  style,  when  the  action  was  begun  by 
the  enemy's  cannon  and  musketry.  This  was  returned,  and 
approaching  still  nearer  the  enemy,  brought  her  to  close  action. 
In  five  minutes  the  main  topmast  of  the  Wasp  was  shot  away, 
and  falling  down  with  the  main  topsail  yard,  across  the  larboard 
fore  and  foretopsail,  rendered  her  head  yards  unmanageable 
during  the  rest  of  the  action.  In  two  minutes  more  her  gaft 
and  mizen  top-gallant  mast  were  shot  away.  The  sea  being 
exceedingly  rough,  the  muzzles  of  the  Wasp's  guns  were  some- 
times under  water.  The  English  fired  as  their  vessel  rose,  so 
that  their  shot  was  either  thrown  away,  or  touched  the  rigging 
of  the  Americans ;  the  Wasp,  on  the  contrary,  fired  as  she  sunk, 
and  every  time  struck  the  hull  of  her  antagonist.  The  Wasp 
now  shot  ahead,  raked  her,  and  then  resumed  her  position. 
The  Frolic's  fire  had  evidently  slackened,  and  the  Wasp,  grad- 
ually nearcd  her,  until  in  the  last  broadside,  they  touched  her 
side  with  their  rammers.  It  was  now  determined  to  lay  her  by 
the  board.  The  jib-boom  of  the  Frolic  came  in  between  the 
main  and  mizen  mast  of  the  Wasp,  and  after  giving  a  raking 
fire,  which  swept  the  whole  deck,  they  resolved  to  board, 
x 


n 


I;; 


^-^1 


50 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Till'  VViiHii  i'!iptiii'cN  tlu'  r'riilir. 


Ill 


ii 


Lieutenant  BidcUe  sprang  on  the  ri<ririnjT  of  iIk;  enemy's  bow- 
sprit, where  he  was  at  fir.st  somewhat  eiitanj,He(l,  and  midship- 
man Barker,  in  his  impatience  to  he  on  hoard,  caught  hohl  of 
Biddle's  coat,  and  fell  hack  on  tJie  deck,  hut  in  a  monjent 
sprang  up  and  leaped  on  the  l)ow.sj)ril,  wliere  lie  found  one  J^ang 
and  another  seaman.  His  surprise  can  scarcely  be  imagined, 
when  he  found  no  person  on  deck,  except  three  ollicers  and 
the  seaman  at  the  wheel.  'I'hc  deck  was  slijjpery  with  blood, 
and  presented  a  scene  of  havock  and  ruin,  such  as  has  been  sel- 
dom wittu'ssed.  As  he  advanced,  the  ollicers  threw  down  their 
swords  in  submission.  'J'lie  colours  were  still  flying,  there 
being  no  seamen  lel't  to  pull  them  down.  Lieutenant  Biddle 
leaped  into  the  rigging,  and  hauled  them  down  wi;h  his  own 
hands.  Thus,  in  forty-three  minutes,  conijjlete  possession  was 
taken  of  the  Frolic,  alter  one  of  the  most  bloody  conflicts  any 
where  recorded  in  naval  history,  'i'he  ccnulilion  of  this  unfor- 
tunate vessel  was  inexpressibly  shocking.  The  birth  deck 
was  crowded  with  the  dead,  thti  dying  and  the  wouiuled;  and 
the  masts,  which  soon  alter  fell,  coveiing  the  dead  and  every 
thing  on  deck,  left  her  a  most  mchiacholy  wreck.  Cap- 
tain Jones  sent  on  board  his  surgeon,  and  humanely  exerted 
himself  in  their  relief,  to  the  utmost  of  his  power.  'J'he  loss 
on  board  the  Frolic  was  thiily  killed  and  fifty  wounded  ;  on 
board  the  Wasp,  five  killed,  ;uk1  five  slightly  wounded.  This 
was  certainly  the  most  decisive  action  fought  during  the  war. 
The  Wasp  and  Frolic  were  both  captured  that  very  day  by  a 
British  seventy-four,  the  J^oictiers,  captain  Beresford. 

Captain  Jones  spoke  of  all  his  olKccrs  and  men  in  handsome 
terms;  but  the  noble  part  which  he  bore  in  this  celebrated 
combat,  was  touched  upon  with  all  that  modesty  for  which  our 
naval  heroes  have  been  so  justly  admired.  Lieutenant  Booth, 
Mr  Rapp,  and  midshipmen  Grant  and  Baker,  were  particularly 
distinguished.  Lieutenant  Claxton,  although  too  unwell  to 
render  any  assistance,  crawled  out  of  bed,  and  came  on  deck, 
that  he  might  witness  the  courage  of  his  comrades.  A  seaman 
of  the  name  of  Jack  Lang,  from  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania, 
a  brave  fellow,  who  had  been  twice  impressed  by  the  British, 
behaved,  on  this  occasion,  with  unusual  bravery,  (yaptain 
Jones  reached  New  York  towards  the  latter  end  of  November. 
The  legislatures  of  Massachusetts,  New  York,  and  Delaware, 
of  which  latter  state  he  was  a  native,  presented  him  with  their 
thanks,  and  several  elegant  swords  and  pieces  of  plate;  and  the 
congress  of  the  United  States  voted  him,  his  oflicers,  and  crew, 
twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  as  a  recompense  for  their  loss,  in  not 
being  able  to  bring  in  the  Frolic.     He  was  soon  after  promoted  to 


i 


1 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


fil 


KxploifK  (if  Aiiicrniiii  I'rivalii'r.x. 


my's  bow- 
1  inidsliip- 
rlit  hold  of 
a  moment 
(1  one  Lang 
'  iniaained, 
illu'crs  and 
svith  blood, 
as  been  sel- 
(lown  their 
yinLS  there 
lanl  IJiddle 
ith  liis  own 
session  was 
onHicls  any 
f  this  unfor- 
birth   deck 
uiuled ;  and 
[1  and  every 
reck.     Cap- 
iit'lv  exerted 
''J'he  loss 
ounded;   on 
uled.     This 
ntr  llie  war. 
;ry  (lay  by  a 
rd. 

n  handsome 
s  celebrated 
r  whicli  our 
nant  Booth, 
particularly 
0  unwell   to 
mc  on  deck, 
A  seaman 
ennsylvania, 
ihe  British, 
■y.     Captain 
November, 
d  Delaware, 
m  with  their 
ate ;  and  the 
•s,  and  crew, 
ir  loss,  in  not 
promoted  to 


the  comniaiid  of  the  Macedonian,  captured  by  commodore  De- 
catur. 

Feats  of  naval  prowess  were  not  coulined  to  national  vessels: 
llie  exploits  of  private  armed  vessels  daily  lilled  the  gazettes. 
Letters  of  marine  were  issued  soon  after  the  declaration  of 
war,  and  inivitrcrs  sailed  from  every  j)ori,  to  annoy  and  dis- 
tr<;ss  the  eiu'inv's  couiuiene.  'I'hey  were  ireueraliy  ct)uslrucic.i 
lor  swift  sailiiiiT,  an  i.it  in  which  the  Americans  excel  every 
other  people.  In  iheir  eoiiiests  they  exhil)ileil  the  same  supe- 
riority over  the  vessels  ol"  the  <Miemy,  as  was  shown  willi  re- 
spect to  the  ships  of  war.  One  of  the  first  to  sail,  was  the 
Atlas,  commanded  by  captain  Molfat.  On  the  IJd  of  AuLnist 
he  fell  in  with  two  arnn  il  .ships,  and  after  a  severe  action, 
captured  tin  ni  buili,  but  was  n(tt  able  to  bring  more  than  one 
of  th"m  into  port, 

The  Dolphin,  eajjlaiii  Ihulicol,  of  Salem,  in  the  course  of  a 
few  weeks,  ciipiured  rifteeii  of  the  enemy's  vessels,  and  soon 
became  noted  lor  his  :icti\ity  and  conraire.  He  had  the  misfor- 
tune to  be  (rajilnred  by  a  squadfon,  under  commodore  Broke, 
and  m  consecinence  of  the  prejndice  entertained  against  priva- 
teers, and  till'  irri'rition  wliieh  his  ex|)loit!5  had  excited,  he  was 
treated  somewhat  rouLddy:  tins  conduct,  to  the  honour  of  the 
British  ollii-ers,  was  soon  champed,  when  they  were  informed, 
by  the  prisoners,  of  tlu;  hnmaniiy  of  his  conduct.  On  one  occa- 
sion, there  haj)|)ened  to  'le  on  board  oiu'  of  the  Dolphin's  j)rizes, 
an  old  woman,  who  had  her  whole  foi  tune  on  board,  consisting  of 
eight  hundred  dollars  ;  slu;  made  a  lamontable  outcry  at  her 
misfortune  :  but  the  fact  was  no  soontM*  known  to  the  sailors, 
than  they  spctntaneo'.isly  atrreed  not  to  touch  iier  pittance;  and 
on  arriving  in  the  L'nitfd  States,  she  felt  so  much  gratitude, 
that  she  could  not  refrain  from  giving  puldicity  to  it,  in  the 
newspapers.  It  soon  became  understood,  that  American  pri- 
vateers were  under  the  same  reiinlatioiis  as  national  vessels,  a  cir- 
cumstance in  which  they  diU'ered  lr(un  those  ofother  .lations ;  that, 
in  fact,  private  cupidity  was  not  the  sole  motive  in  arming  them, 
but  that  they  constituted  a  part  of  onr  mode  of  carrying  on  the 
war.  by  assailing  the  enemy  in  hi-  niost  vulnerable  part;  and 
that  the  gallantry  displayed  on  l)oard  of  these  v  'ssels,  conferred 
almost  as  high  hon(uir  on  the  act(»i-s,  as  that  wnich  was  won  in 
the  national  ships:  there  were,  therefore,  the  same  inducements 
to  correctness  of  deportment,  'i'luis  much  may  be  said  in  miti- 
gation of  this  species  of  warfare,  which  it  is  to  be  hoped  will, 
at  some  futm-e  day,  be  suppressed  by  common  consent. 

Early  in  the  war,  one  of  our  oldest  and  most  distinguished 
naval  heroes,  hut  who  had,  I'or  many  years,  led  a  private  life, 
entered  this  service.     Commodttre  Barney  sailed  from  Balli- 


i' 


RRACKENHIDCJE'S 


I'V 


Ui'HiillH  iit'thf  Naval  NVarttirc. 


l: 

•li 


more  in  the  Hossio,  and,  in  the  course  ol"  a  lew  ni(»ntliH,  did 
more  havock  in  ihn  British  co.nniercc,  than  was  experienced 
from  llie  French  cruisers  for  years.  The  fame  of  this  gallant 
officer  was  already  well  known  to  the  enemy,  parli(ndar!y  as 
the  captor  of  one  of  their  vessels  of  war  of  superior  force,  the 
General  Monk,  diirinj^  the  revolution. 

Such  was  the  glorious  beginninjr  of  our  naval  warfare  against 
Great  Hritain.  In  the  course  of  a  few  months,  two  of  her 
finest  frigates  siirrendered,  each  after  a  few  minutes  lighting; 
and  a  most  decided  victory  was  gained  over  an  adversary  con- 
fessedly superior.  Before  the  meeting  of  congress,  in  iVovem- 
ber,  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  vesseds  were  captured  from 
the  enemy,  and  more  than  three  thousand  prisoners  taken. 
Upwards  of  fifty  of  them  were  armed  vessels,  and  carrying  five 
Imndred  and  seventy-five  guns.  'I'o  rounterhalance  tliis  im- 
mense loss,  tlu!  enemy  had  hut  a  small  account.  By  the  cruise 
of  commodore  Kodgers,  our  merchantmen  had  been  much  aided 
in  getting  into  port,  and  the  number  captured  was  but  trilling 
compared  to  theirs,  'i'he  Frolic  and  Wasp,  we  l\ave  seen, 
were  captured  in  a  way  to  give  no  crtulit  to  the  captors.  Two 
other  smaller  vessels  were  also  captured  by  squadrons:  the 
first,  on  the  20th  of  July,  the  schooner  Nautilus,  of  twelve 
guns,  commanded  by  lieutenant  Crane,  captured  by  the  frigate 
Shannon,  the  leading  ship  of  the  squadron.  'J'he  Vixen  was 
captured  on  the  22d  of  November,  by  the  Northampton 
frigate,  Sir  .lames  Yoe.  Not  long  after  the  capture,  both  ves- 
sels ran  ashore,  and  were  wrecked.  Through  the  exertions  of 
captain  Reed,  of  the  Vixen,  much  of  the  properly  was  saved 
from  the  wreck ;  and,  in  consequence  of  his  services  on  the 
occasion,  he  was  publicly  thanked  by  Sir  James,  and  permis- 
sion given  to  him  to  return  home  on  his  parole.  'I'his  he  gene- 
rously declined,  as  he  codIu  nut  thiidc  of  receiving  any  bene- 
fits, in  which  his  officers  and  crew  did  not  partake.  He 
accordingly  accompanied  them  to  Nova  Scotia,  where  he  fell 
a  victim  to  the  climate.  He  was  interred  by  the  British  with 
the  honours  of  war,  accompanied  by  every  demonstration  of 
respect  to  the  memory  of  a  brave  and  gallant  oflicer. 

The  navy  now  became  the  favourite  of  the  nation  ;  for  thus 
far,  contrasted  with  our  armies,  it  was  entitled  to  the  most  de- 
cided preference.  There  were  not  wanting  occasions  in  which 
our  arms  by  land  had  acquired  reputation,  but  they  had  also 
brought  upon  us  dishonour:  on  tiie  contrary,  the  navy,  in  every 
instance,  had  added  to  our  national  renown.  Tlie  modesty  of 
our  naval  commanders,  in  the  narratives  of  the  most  brilliant 
achievements,  and  whieh  were  read  with  delight  in  every  cot- 


IIISTOHY  OF  TIIK  W.Mt. 


ft8 


Hi'iH!itii>ii4  I'xriifil  ill  h'.iiuliiiiil. 


llOMtllH,  (lid 

xperioiu'otl 
lliis  pallnnt 
lirularly  nH 
r  force,  the 

■faro  a«rJ^i list 
two  ol  hor 
-a  figliting; 
crsary  con-    • 
I  ii)  Novem- 
i)tnro(l  from 
ncrs  taken, 
arrying  five 
ee  this  ini- 
ly  the  cruise 
much  aitletl 
;  but  trilling 
have  seen, 
•tors.     Two 
adrons:  the 
s,  of  twelve 
y  ihc  frigate 
Vixen  was 
orthamplon 
e,  both  ves- 
exertions  of 
was  saved 
ices  on  the 
and  perniis- 
lis  he  gene- 
g  any  bene- 
take.      He 
lere  he  fell 
kilish  with 
nslration  of 
r. 

n  ;  for  thus 
he  most  de- 
ns in  which 
ey  had  also 
ivy,  in  every 
modesty  of 
est  brilliant 
n  every  cot- 


tage, and  spread  over  the  country  by  the  means  of  our  thoiisainl 
newspapers,  was  peculiarly  j»Ieasii)g:  m  hcrcas  the  |)r()clama- 
tions  of  (jur  gcueridrf  wi-rc  t<»(»  «)ften  lilicd  with  idU;  lusiian. 
The  Hritiwh  had  threaiciicd  to  drive  our  *»  bits  of  striped 
bunting"  from  the  ocean,  and  we  had  been  Hcriou.sly  appre- 
liensive  IJjat  our  litdc  navy  wonld  be  at  once  annihilated  !  We, 
liovvcver,  f-ouulil  ron-olalinn  fur  this,  in  lln;  proi^i)ei;t  <d'  pos- 
eessing  ("aiiada,  and  freeinij  ourselves  from  troublesome  neigh- 
bours. In  both  instances  how  greatly  disap|)ointed !  The 
mortification  of  (J real  lirilain  was  attended  with  no  alleviation. 
She  was  wounded  in  the  most  vital  p:irt.  In  vain  did  she  seek 
consolation  in  endeavouring  to  hide  her  misfortune  from  herself, 
by  representing  our  vessels,  in  every  instance,  as  greatly  eiipe- 
rior  in  si/e,  and  having  every  advantage  in  the  various  con- 
flicts. 'I'his  might  do  with  respect  to  one  engagement,  Imt  the 
same  cause  was  insiillicient  to  account  lor  her  defeats  in  every 
encounter.  Tlie  American  frigates  were  seventy-fours  in  dis- 
guise, and  she  turned  her  seventy-fours  into  frigates,  that  she 
might  contend  on  ecpial  terms!  Hut  she  could  not  so  easily 
account  for  the  superiority  in  the  management  of  the  ships, 
and  in  guniu'ry.  From  tin;  idh;  boast  of  l)eing  the  sovereign 
of  the  seas  (a  claim  as  vain  as  that  to  the  dominion  of  the 
air  or  the  light),  witliont  whose  permission  not  a  sail  could 
be  spread,  she  was  hunil)le(l  by  oiu^  of  the  youngest  maritime 
states,  actuated  by  no  and)iti()n  of  comiuest,  and  merely  con- 
tending for  the  jirivilege  of  navigating  an  element  designed 
by  the  Almighty  for  the  common  possession  of  the  human  race. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Military  Entliusiasm  in  tlio  AVi  st— (Jenrral  Harrison  takes  command  of  the  NorUi- 
western  Army — 'J'lie  Aiiiiy  uilvunreri  under  General  \\'inchester — Expedition  to  the 
Rapids  under  <u  iieral  Tii|)per — Failure  of  tin-  Expedition  to  tlie  Rapids— Hceond  Ex- 
jieditiiiri  to  the  Rapids  nudtr  (Uiicial  Topper — Eoray  under  General  Hopkins — Serond 
Expedition  under  General  Hopkins— Defence  of  Fort  Harrison — Expedition  under  Colo- 
nel Russell— Expedition  under  Colonel  Campbell — i^eciirity  of  the  Frontier  established. 

The  public  mind  having  recovered  from  the  distress  and  cha- 
grin occasioned  by  the  surrender  of  Hull,  was  now  carried  to 


■  k 


!  > 


o4 


BllACKENRlDCE'S 


Military  Enthusiasm  in  the  West. 


*  I, 


!    ; 


Hlr 


ili? 


the  contrary  extreme.  A  spirit  was  roused,  which  prothiced 
effects  not  surpassed  in  the  most  enthusiastic  periods  of  our 
revolution.  To  the  westward  and  to  tlie  southward,  volunteer 
corps  were  forming  in  every  quarter,  and  tendering  their  ser- 
vices for  0ny  enterprise  which  might  be  undertaken.  The 
western  parts  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  exhibited  great 
alacrity  :  but  it  was  in  the  states  of  Kentucky,  Ohio  and  Ten- 
nessee, that  this  generous  zeal  prevailed  in  the  highest  degree. 
Civil  pursuits  were  almost  forsaken,  while  this  enthusiasm  was 
shared  by  persons  of  both  sexes  and  every  age.  The  ladies 
set  themselves  to  work  in  preparing  niil'tary  clothing  and  knap- 
sacks for  their  relatives  and  friends,  and  cheerfully  contributed 
from  their  household  stock,  such  articles  as  their  soldiers  might 
require.  Companies  were  equipped  in  a  single  day,  and  ready 
to  march  the  next.  There  prevailed  every  where,  the  most 
animated  scenes  of  preparation.  The  admiration  which  this 
excites,  is  not  lessened  'v  the  reflection  that  they  were  but 
acting  in  self-defence  ;  for  excepting  in  the  remof?  settlements, 
and  merely  on  the  fro'Hier,  there  was  bui  little  to  appreliend 
from  the  Indians :  the  settlements  having  become  so  consider- 
able in  the  western  states,  that  it  would  be  imposs^ible  for  the 
enemy  to  penetrate  far.  They  were  actuated  by  an  enthusias- 
tic love  of  country,  a  generous  spirit,  whicii  could  not  brook 
the  thought  of  being  worsted,  or  that  a  part  of  the  territory  of 
the  United  States,  should  fall  by  conquest  into  the  hands  of  our 
enemy. 

Louisville  and  Newiiort  h  id  been  appointed  as  the  places  of 
rendezvous,  for  the  troops  destined  to  the  aid  of  Hull.  So 
numerous  were  the  volunt*^  ts  from  Kentucky,  who  offered 
their  services  here,  that  it  wrs  soon  fo  ;nd  necessary  to  issue 
orders  that  no  more  would  be  received,  and  many  companies, 
thus  disappointed,  were  compelled  to  turn  back.  The  com- 
mand of  the  Kentucky  militia,  was  assigned  to  general  Payne. 
The  same  alacrity  was  manifested  in  the  state  of  Ohio,  which, 
in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  embodied  an  equal  force  under  general 
Tupper.  The  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  under  general  Crooks, 
were  marched  to  Erie,  and  a  brigade  of  Virginians  under  general 
Leflwich,  was  to  join  the  troops  of  Ohio,  at  Urbanna.  The 
Kentucky  troops,  together  with  the  Seventeenth  United  Stales 
regiment  under  colonel  Wells,  the  greater  jiart  of  which 
had  been  enlisted  in  the  Western  country  since  the  wur,  were 
destined  for  Fort  Wayne,  and  thence  for  the  Rapids,  which  was 
appointed  as  tiie  general  rendezvous.  Thus  in  a  few  weeks, 
upwards  of  four  thousand  men  were  drawn  out  from  their 
homes,  completely   equipped,  embodied,    and  ready    for   the 


mg 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


55 


:h.  produced 
riods  of  our 
d,  volunteer 
iig  iheir  ser- 
iken.  The 
ibited  great 
io  and  Ten- 
hest  degree, 
tiusiasm  was 

The  ladies 
iig  and  knap- 
■  contributed 
Dldiers  might 
iv,  and  ready 
re,  the  most 
I  which  this 
ey  were  but 

settlements, 
o  apprehend 

so  consider- 

ssible  for  the 

an  enthusias- 

Id  not  brook 

territory  of 

hands  of  our 

the  places  of 
f  Hull.     So 
who  olTered 
sary  to  issue 
y  companies, 
The  com- 
neral  Payne. 
Ohio,  whicii, 
under  general 
leral  Crooks, 
under  general 
rbanna.    'IMic 
United  Stales 
irt   of   which 
he  wur,  were 
s,  which  was 
a  few  weeks, 
I  from    their 
.■ady    for   the 


Ceneral  H:\rrison  takes  comiiiand  of  the  Northwestern  Army. 

field.  The  command  of  this  army  was  given  to  major-general 
Harrison,  who  was  well  known  to  the  Western  people,  and 
whose  recent  conduct  at  Tippecanoe  had  raised  him  high  in 
public  estimation.  In  order  to  secure  him  this  rank,  a  distinc- 
tion of  an  unusual  character,  equally  honourable  to  general 
Harrison,  and  to  the  person  conferring  it,  who  did  not  resolve 
upon  it,  however,  without  consultation  and  mature  reflection, 
he  received  a  brevet  commission  of  major-general,  from  the 
governor  of  Kentucky  ;  and  some  time  after,  the  command  of 
the  Northwestern  army  was  assigned  him,  by  a  special  order 
from  the  department  of  war. 

The  first  step  taken  by  Harrison,  was  to  relieve  the  frontier 
posts :  principally  Fort  Harrison,  on  the  Wabash  ;  and  Fort 
Wayne,  situated  on  the  Miami  of  the  Lakes,  and  on  the  road 
to  the  Rapids.  It  might  be  expected  that  this  fort,  as  well 
as  Fort  Defiance,  situated  lower  down,  would  be  attempted  by 
the  British,  in  order  to  obs'  ict  the  road  to  Detroit.  Harrison 
arrived  at  Fort  Deposit  on  the  12th  of  September,  with  about  two 
thousand  five  hundred  men. 

The  Indians  who  had  laid  siege  to  it,  disappeared  on  his  ap- 
proach. It  iiad  been  invested  by  a  considerable  body  of  them, 
who  after  repeated  attacks,  from  the  Cth  to  the  Uth,  in  which 
they  resorted  to  every  stratagem,  and  several  times  attempted 
to  take  it  by  assault,  were  compelled  to  retire,  after  destroying 
every  thing  outside  the  fort.  The  garrison  consisted  of  no  more 
than  seventy  men. 

After  remaining  here  a  few  days,  general  Harrison,  not  think- 
ing it  advisable  to  proceed  to  the  Rapids  until  suflicienlly 
strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  the  other  troops,  resolved  to  oc- 
cupy tiie  intermediate  time  in  laying  waste  the  Indian  country. 
Colonel  Wells  was  despatched  on  the  11th,  with  his  regiment, 
and  that  under  the  command  of  colonel  Scott,  together  with 
two  hundred  mounted  riflemen,  against  the  Pottowaiomy  town 
on  the  river  St  Joseph,  which  discharges  itself  into  Lake  Mi- 
chigan. Another  detachment,  under  the  command  of  general 
Payne,  consisting  of  colonels  Lewis  and  Allen's  regiments,  and 
captain  Garrard's  company,  marched  against  tlie  Miami  villages. 
The  detachments  were  in  both  instances  successful,  the  bark  and 
wooden  huts  of  nine  villages  were  destroyed,  the  inhabitants  hav- 
ing abandoned  them  ;  their  corn  was  also  cut  up,  according  to 
the  mode  of  warfare  practised  on  these  people  by  all  European 
nations.  General  Harrison  returned  to  Fort  Wayne  about  the 
18th,  where  he  found  general  Winchester,  with  considerable 
reinforcements  from  Ohio  and  Kentucky.  This  oflicer  had  been 
unexpectedly  placed  in  command  by  ihe  President;  on  which 


m 


m 


Mv.-  .  i 


l^.^       fl; 


'  t  '- 

lip 

56 


BI?.VCKI:N  RIDGE'S 


Tlic  Arinv  :ulv;inr(-<  ntidfir  (ifiii  ral  Wiin  licsd^r. 


general  Harrison  resolved  to  retire,  antl  set  out  on  his  return 
to  Indiana,  hut  was  overtaken  hy  a  messennfer,  with  information 
of  the  suhse([uent  arranjiements  by  ths  order  of  the  President. 
On  the  23(1  lu;  aecordiuLdy  resumi.'d  the  conimaiul. 

'J'he  dav  helore  his  arrival,  jreneral  Winrhester  had  marched 
for  Fort  Defiance,  on  his  way  to  (he  Hapids,  the;  place  of  ultimate 
destination.  Ilis  force  consisted  of  a  hriirade  of  Kentucky 
militia,  four  liundred  retiulars,  and  a  troop  of  horse,  in  allahout 
two  thousand  men.  The  country  wliich  lie  was  c(unpelled  to 
traverse,  opposed  ^vr:\i  diHiculti(  s,  jiarticul-irly  in  the  transpor- 
tation of  stores.  Alon<T  the  heads  oi"  the  rivers  which  discharge 
themselves  into  the  Ohio  on  the  south,  and  those  which  dis- 
cliargo  tlicmselves  into  the  lakes  on  the  north,  there  is  a  great 
extent  of  Hat  land,  full  of  marshes  aiul  ponds,  in  which  the 
streams  take  their  rise.  In  rainy  seasons  particularly,  it  is 
exceedingly  dillicult  to  pass,  the  horses  at  every  step  sinking 
to  the  knees  in  nnid.  The  ground,  besides,  is  covered  with 
deep  forests  aiul  close  thickets.  To  facilitate  the  passage 
through  this  wilderness,  each  man  was  ol)liged  to  carry  provi- 
sions for  six  days.  General  Harrison  now  ])roceeded  in  person 
to  Fort  St  Mary's,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  the  idlerior 
movements  of  the  armv.  A  detachment  under  major  .Tenninffs 
was  or(lcr(!d  to  proceed  with  supplies  by  the  Aux  Glaize  river. 

General  Winchester  was  obliged  to  ailvance  slowly,  on 
account  of  the  precautions  necessary  to  avoid  surprise  in  a 
country  highly  favourable  for  Indian  warfare.  From  the  close- 
ness of  the  thickets,  the  troojis  were  umler  the  necessity  of  cut- 
ting opeji  a  road  each  day,  antl  were  not  able  to  make  more  than 
six  or  eight  miles.  They  usually  encamped  at  three  o'clock, 
and  threw  up  a  breast-work  to  guard  against  a  night  attack. 
They  had  tlu^  precaution,  on  their  marcli,  to  be  preceded  by 
a  party  of  si)ies,  under  an  active  ollicer,  captain  Ballard,  and  an 
advanced  guard  of  about  three  himdred  men.  On  the  2tth, 
they  discovered  an  Indian  trail  lor  the  first  time,  and  pursued 
it  some  distance  ;  but  from  the  nature  of  the  country,  it  was 
impossibhi  to  overtake  the  enemy.  Ensign  T^eggett,  having 
obtained  permission  to  penetrate  to  Fort  Defiance,  still  at  the 
distance  of  twenty-four  mdes,  set  out  accompanied  by  four 
vohniteers.  'J'hese  gallant  young  men,  not  being  sulllciently 
cxj)erien(e(l  in  such  enterprises,  were  killed  tlu;  same  evening, 
and  fouiul  the  next  C\y  by  the  spies,  scalped  and  tomahawked 
in  the  most  barbarous  manner.  On  the  27th,  captain  Ballard, 
who  hid  gone  before  for  tlie  purpose  of  burying  the  dead,  dis- 
covered an  Indian  trail;  but  being  aware  of  the  stratagems  of 
this  wily  people,  instead  of  following  it,  he  divided  his  com* 


J 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


57 


I  his  return 
information 
!  President. 

ad  marched 
[•oi'iihimate 
f  Kentucky 
,  in  all  ahout 
onipelled  to 
he  transpor- 
i;h  discharge 
I  which  dis- 
rc  is  a  great 
1  M'hich  the 
Hilarly,  it  is 
step  sinking 
overed  with 
the   passage 
carry  provi- 
led  in  person 
:  the  ulterior 
jor  Jennings 
Ghiize  river. 

slowly,  on 
urprise  in  a 
nm  the  close- 
;essity  oFcut- 
ke  more  than 
H'ee  o'clock, 
nijiht  attack, 
preceded  by 
illard,  and  an 
On  the  21th, 

and  pursued 
untry,  it  was 
Tgett,  having 
e,  still  at  the 
nied  by  four 
g  sutl'iciently 
anie  evening, 

tomahawked 

•lain  iJallard, 
the  dead,  dis- 
stratagems  of 
ided  his  com- 


Expoilition  to  the  Rapids  tinilcr  «!fnoriil  Tii|)|»'r. 


pany,  and  marciied  his  men  on  each  side.  The  stratagem  of 
the  enemy  being  thus  frustrated,  they  rose  from  their  hiding 
places,  raised  the  war-whoop,  and  took  possession  of  an  ele- 
vated piece  of  ground;  but  were  soon  compelled,  by  the  ap- 
proach of  the  cavalry  and  the  well  directed  fire  of  the  spies,  to 
betake  themselves  to  the  swamps  and  thickets.  The  next  day, 
while  the  army  was  on  its  marcli,  four  Indians  fired  upon  the 
spies  ;  the  general  instantly  drew  up  his  men,  and  sent  forward 
a  detachment  of  horse,  which  returning  with  an  account  that 
no  enemy  could  be  seen,  the  line  of  marcli  was  again  resumed. 
They  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  a  trail  was  discovered, 
which  induced  the  general  to  cross  the  river,  and  shortly  after 
another  trail  was  discovered,  which  was  at  first  supposed  to 
have  marked  the  march  of  colonel  Jennings,  who  had  been 
ordered  in  advance  with  provisions,  and  was  tlu;refore  hailed 
with  joy  by  the  troops,  who  had  begun  to  suller  for  want  of 
them.  Tlie  mistake  was  unpleasantly  rectified  by  the  arrival 
of  the  scouts,  who  brought  intelligence  that  about  two  miles 
above  Fort  Defiance,  they  had  seen  the  Indians  encamped,  with 
their  war  poles  erected,  and  bloody  Hag  displayed. 

On  the  evening  of  the  2l)th,  a  messenger  arrived  from  colo- 
nel Jennings,  with  the  information,  that,  on  having  discovered 
the  IJritish  and  Indians  in  possession  of  Fort  Defiance,  he  had 
thought  il  prudent  to  land  about  forty  miles  ab()\e  tiiat  place, 
where  he  had  erected  a  block-house,  and  awaited  further  orders. 
Captain  Garrard,  with  about  thirty  of  his  troopers,  was  despatch- 
ed with  orders  to  Jennings  to  forward  the  provisions  ;  this  was 
prompUy  obeyed.  Captain  Garrard  returned  as  the  escort  to  a 
brigade  of  pack-horses,  on  which  they  were  loaded,  after  hav- 
ing been  for  thirty-six  hours  exposed  to  an  incessant  rain.  This 
occurrence  gave  new  life  and  spirits  to  the  starving  army,  which 
had  in  the  meantime  taken  possession  of  Fort  D(  liance.  'I'he 
British  and  Indians  had  precipitately  descended  the  river.  On 
the  4th  of  October,  general  Harrison  left  the  fort,  and  returned 
to  the  settlements,  with  a  view  of  organizing  and  bringing  up 
the  centre  and  right  wing  of  the  army;  the  left  wing  having 
been  placed  under  the  command  of  general  Winchester.  Or- 
ders were  given  to  general  Tupper,  by  the  commander-in-chief, 
to  proceed  immediately  to  the  liajjids,  with  about  one  thousand 
men,  for  the  purpose  of  driving  the  enemy  from  that  place. 

The  intended  expedition  of  general  'I'upper  proved  abortive. 
The  general,  in  consequence  of  tiie  damaged  state  of  the  am- 
munition, and  the  length  of  time  requisite  to  prepare  the  ncces- 
.-  .y  provisions,  was  considerably  delayed.  In  the  meanwhile 
U\e  Indians  had  killed  a  man  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 


■il 


58 


liRlCKEMUDGE'S 


i 


I: 


l':il|rir<>  nrtlic  K\|i<'ilitiii|i  to  till-  ilapiils 


il  ■ 


m 


and  almost  wiiliiu  sjunshot  of  llie  camp,  lie  boat  to  arms,  and 
ordered  major  I'msli  to  cross  over  with  about  tifty  men,  and 
explore  the  woods,  while  a  stronir  detachment  would  be  formed 
for  the  purpose  of  supportin<T  him,  in  case  of  attack.  The 
party  had  no  soon(!r  moved,  than  all  in  camp  ijesrnn  to  break 
away,  twenty  or  thirty  tojrether,  in  order  to  join  in  the  chase, 
and  by  no  exertion  of  authority  could  they  i)e  kept  back;  so 
totally  insensible  were  they  to  any  thinff  like  rejiular  n)ililary 
subordination.  liUcUly  these  small  bodies  were  not  ati;icked, 
or  they  must  hnvo  ocen  cut  to  pieces,  linmeiliately  alter  this, 
orders  were  Lnven  by  the  commanding-  L^eneral,  to  ;:o  in  pursuit 
of  the  Indians,  and  if  possible  ascertain  their  number;  g  neral 
'J\ipper  reprcser.ted  his  situation,  and  reciuested  that  the  >rder 
niii;ht  be  countcrmnnded  :  but  this  w  :is  ;ins\ver(Ml  bv  a  peremp- 
tory command,  which  he  now  attempted  to  obey,  'i'his  un- 
fortunately resulted  in  a  misunderstandinij  between  him  and  the 
commandiui^  L''eneral,  in  conse(|uenc('  of  which  colonel  Allen 
received  privaie  ord(,'rs  to  supersetle  him  in  tin;  command;  on 
this  beinir  made  known  to  the  corp>^  of  Ohio,  tli(>y  positively 
refused  to  march,  unanimously  set  oiV  for  trbanna,  and  the 
expeditiou  was  cnwrcly  f>r()ken  up. 

'J  hese  are  instances  of  insubordination  )nurh  to  be  re<rretted  ; 
but  they  spririL'from  the  want  of  that  Ixiiid  (tf  habitual  obedience, 
and  implicit  confidence  in  their  oilicers,  incident  to  raw  troops. 
8utdi  are  tlie  unavoidable  evils  attendiiiL^  a  militia  hastily  called 
together,  and  not  kept  in  a  body  a  snilicient  lenL''ih  of  time,  to 
learn  the  utility  of  peri'ect  subordination. 

It  was  now  necessary  to  wait  until  the  arrival  of  the  other  divi- 
sions of  the  army,  bei'ore  any  tliinir  further  could  Ix-  attempted 
against  the  Kapids,  and  much  less  ajrainst  Detroit.  The  army 
was  at  this  time  accompanied  by  some;  friendly  Indians,  whom 
general  Harrison  had  re(teived  into  bis  service  at  i''ort  Wayne, 
the  greater  part  under  the  command  of  f ^oiran.  No  other  course 
would  have  prevented  their  becomiuL'"  our  enemies;  it  was  in 
vain  to  expect  them  to  remain  neutral,  while  surrounded  by 
war.  However  contrary  to  our  maxims  and  policy  to  employ 
such  auxiliaries,  we  were  compelled  to  do  so  in  self  defence; 
and  we  afterwards  sulliciently  evinced,  by  the  conduct  of  those 
Indians,  that  it  is  not  impossible  to  restrain  them  from  the  com- 
mission of  acts  of  barbarity. 

General  'J'upper,  having  returned  to  Urbanna  with  his 
mounteil  men,  was  despatched  with  the  division  of  the  centre, 
which  consisted  of  a  brigade  of  Ohio  volunteers  and  militia, 
and  a  regiment  of  regulars,  to  Fort  M'Arthur,  while  the  right 
wing,  consisting  of  a  Pennsylvania  and  a  Virginia  brigade,  was 
ordered  to  Sanduskv. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


59 


S<{  iiiid  Expedition  lo  tlie  Rapids  under  General  Tupper. 


o  arms,  and 
y  men,  and 
d  be  formed 
tack.     The 
nn  to  break 
11  tlie  chase, 
[)t  bai'k;  so 
liar  military 
lol  attacked, 
ly  alter  this, 
:o  in  pursuit 
l)er;  c  neral 
i;it  the    rder 
iv  a  ])ercmp- 
;     'J'his  un- 
him  and  the 
olonel  Allen 
)mmand  ;  on 
'V  jjositively 
una,  and  the 

)e  rc'orretted ; 

:il  obedience, 
)  law  troops. 
Iiasiily  called 
h  i)[  time,  to 

le  other  divi- 
){'  attempted 
The  army 
lians,  whom 
'ort  Wayne, 
)  other  course 
s  ;  it  was  in 
iTounded  by 
■V  to  employ 
srlf  defence; 
duel  of  those 
•oin  the  com- 

na  with  his 
if  the  centre, 

and  militia, 
lile  the  riglit 

brijrade,  was 


General  Tupper,  on  his  arrival  at  Fort  M'Arthur,  orfranized 
another  expedition,  for  the  purpose  of  proceeding  to  the  Ra- 
pids.    Tliis  force  consisted  of  about  six    hundred   men  ;   and 
being  provided  with  live  days'  provisions,  marched  on  tlie  KHh, 
and   on    the    13th    approached  within    thirteen    miles    of   the 
Rapids,  which  they  found,   by  their  scouts,    to  be   still  in  the 
possession  of  the  British  and  Indians.     A  num!)er  of  boats  and 
small  vessels  were   seen  lyinjj  below.     On  receiving'  this  in- 
formation, they  advanced  within  a  few  miles  of  the   Rapids, 
and  then  halted  until  sunset,  with  a  view  of  crossini,^  the  river, 
and  makinir  an  attack  the  next  morniii;j   by  daybreak.     'I'he 
rapidity  of  the  current  was  such,  that  their  att('ini)ts  were  inef- 
fectual ;  many  ol  the  men,  who  endeavoured  to  cross,  w  ere  swept 
down  the  sui-am,  and  it  was  thought  advisable  to  order  those, 
who  had  actually  passed,  to  return.     It  was  now  resolved    to 
resort  to  sirataLrem,  and  if  possible,  to  de»;oy  the  enemy  over. 
For  this  purpose,  early  in  the  morning,  they  showed  the  heads 
of  their  columns,  by  advancing  some  distance  out  of  the  woods, 
in  an  open  space  opposite  the  enemy's  camp.     A  great  confu- 
sion appeared  to  ensue;   those  in  the  vessels  slipped  their  ca- 
bles, and  dt'sc(,'nil('d    the  liver,  while  the    Indian  women  were 
seen  scampering  olf  on  the  road  to  Detroit.     A  fire  was  then 
opened  upon  the  Americans,  with  musketry  and  a  four  pounder. 
Tupper's  strataijem  did  not  perfectly  succeetl  ;  but  few  Indians 
at  first  seemed  disposed  to  cross,  and  then  acted  with  great  cau- 
tion.    A  number,  however,    were  observed   in  a  little    while 
crossing  iiigher  up  the  river;  being  now  apprehensive  that  his 
camp  might  be  attacked,  the  general  thought  proper  to  return. 
He  had  not  jiroceeded  far,  when  some  of  the  men  unfortunately, 
contrary  to  orders,  tired  on  a  drove  of  hogs,  and  pursued  them 
some  distance,  aiul  others,  equally  disobedient,  entered  a  field 
lo  pull   corn.     At  this  moment,  a  body  of  mounted   Indians 
rushed  forward,  killed  four  men,  and  attacked  the  rear  of  the 
right  Hank,     'i'lie  column,   being  thrown  back,  commenced  a 
brisk  fire,  and  caused  the  Indians  to  give  ground.     The  Indians 
rallied,  and  passing  along  the  van-guard,  made  a  charge  upon 
the  rear  of  the  left  column  :  this  column  was  also  thrown  briskly 
back;  all  atteinj)ls  to  break  it  were  unsuccessful,  and  in  twenty 
minutes,    the    Indians    again  retired.      Conceiving  this    only 
preliminary  to   an  attack  of  foot,  general  Tupper  ordered  the 
right  column   to  move  up  in  marching  order,  to  prevent  the 
attack    from    being    made    on    the   right   fiank.       Information 
was   now  received,   that  the    Indians   were  crossing  in   con- 
siderable numbers;    on  this,  the  general  ordered  the  left  co- 
lumn to  take  up  the  marching  order,  and  proceed  to  the  head 


60 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Foriiy  under  (Junerul  llojikins. 


•i 
I:' '  I 


;i  i-i 


of  the  ri{rht  column,  where  a  numher  of  Indians  had  already 
crossed  on  horseback,  while  others  were  still  in  the  river,  and 
about  two  hundred  on  tlie  opposite  bank.  These,  a  battalion  was 
ordered  to  dislodj^re,  which  completely  succeeded  in  the  under- 
takini'',  many  of  them  being  shot  from  their  horses  in  the  river. 
'I'he  tlifl'ereiu  cluiri^es  of  the  Indians  were  led  by  the  famous 
chief  Split-LojT,  wl-.o  rode  a  line  white  horse,  from  which  he 
sometimes  fired,  at  other  times  alighted,  and  fired  from  behind 
a  tree.  The  horses  appeared  to  have  been  much  superior  to 
those  which  the  liulians  generally  ride,  and  they  were  well 
supplied  with  holsters  and  pistols.  The  Americans  were  com- 
pelled to  return  in  haste,  as  their  provisions  were  by  this  time 
entirely  exhausted,  and  tliey  had  to  march  forty  miles  before 
they  could  obtain  a  fresh  supply. 

While  these  thiniis  were  taking  place  in  the  Northwestern 
army  under  general  Harrison,  other  events,  deserving  attention, 
transpired  further  to  the  westward,  under  different  leaders. 
We  have  seen  that  many  of  the  companies  equipped  for  the 
service  of  the  United  States,  were  dismissed,  as  exceeding 
the  number  required,  or  the  number  for  which  supplies  had 
been  provided.  A  spirit  of  volunteering  prevailed,  which 
reminds  one  of  tlie  enthusiasm  of  the  crusades.  Vincennes, 
on  the  Wabash,  was  appointed  the  place  of  rendezvous  for 
an  expedition  against  the  Peoria  towns,  and  others  situated 
on  the  Illinois  and  Waliash  rivers.  Nearly  four  thousand 
men,  chiefly  mounted  riflemen,  under  the  command  of  gene- 
ral Hopkins,  collected  at  this  place,  and  early  in  October 
proceeded  to  Fort  Harrison.  This  foray  was  sanctioned  by 
tke  venerable  governor  Shelby,  of  Kentucky,  and  was,  per- 
haps, the  most  formidable  in  appearance  that  had  ever  entered 
the  Indian  country. 

The  army  reached  Fort  Harrison  about  the  10th,  and  on 
the  14th  crossed  the  Wabash,  and  proceeded  on  its  march 
against  the  Kickapoo  and  Peoria  towns ;  the  first  about  eighty 
miles  distant,  the  others  about  one  hundred  and  twenty.  Its 
march  lay  through  open  plains  covered  with  a  luxuriant  grass, 
which  in  autumn  becomes  very  dry  and  c(;mbusiible.  Mur- 
murs and  discontents  soon  began  to  show  themselves  in  this 
unwieldy  and  ill  compacted  body,  which  was  kept  together  by 
no  discipline  or  authority.  Every  one  consulted  his  own  will ; 
in  fact,  but  little  could  he  expected  from  this  ♦'  press  of  chival- 
ry." They  had  scarcely  been  four  days  on  their  march,  when 
they  demanded  to  be  led  back  ;  a  major,  whose  name  it  is  un- 
necessary to  remember,  rode  up  to  the  general,  and  perempto* 
rily  ordered  him  to  return !     An  idea  had  begun  to  prevail, 


wilii 

On  tl 

one  t 

boats, 

eendei 

lie  re: 

three 

Passu 

place 

togeth 


f 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


61 


-Vrond  Exprdition  under  Gonoral  Hopkins. 


lad  already 
e  river,  and 
atialion  was 
1  the  under- 
in  the  river. 

the  famous 
m  which  he 
from  behind 

superior  to 
Y  were  well 
s  were  com- 
by  this  time 
miles  before 

[orthwestern 
ng  attention, 
rent  leaders, 
pped  for  the 
ls  exceeding 
supplies  had 
lilcd,   which 

Vincennes, 
[idezvous  for 
hers  situated 
lur  thousand 
and  of  gene- 

in  October 
m^'tioned  by 

d  was,  per- 
ever  entered 

10th,  and  on 
)n  its  march 
about  eighty 
twenty.     Its 
curiant  grass, 
tible.     Mur- 
selves  in  this 
t  together  by 
lis  own  will; 
ess  of  chival- 
march,  when 
lame  it  is  un- 
id  perempto- 
n  to  prevail, 


that  the  guides  were  ignorant  of  the  country,  and  that  their 
course  was  the  opposite  of  that  which  they  dire''ted.  An  un- 
lucky occurrence,  towards  evening,  gave  the  finishing  blow  to 
ibis  miglity  expedition.  A  gust  of  wind  had  arisen,  while 
they  were  eiicampcd,  wliich  blow  violently  towards  tliem  ; 
soon  after,  the  (jrass  was  discovtrcd  to  Ix;  on  fire,  and  tiie 
flames  aj)i)roachiiig  with  great  velocily.  'i'liis  was  .supposed 
to  be  an  Indian  attack  ;  it  w(»uld  have  been  a  forniiilable  one, 
had  they  not  set  fire  to  the  grass  around  their  camp,  and  thus 
arrested  tjic  progress  of  the  flaine!«.  The  next  morning  a 
council  of  ofliccis  was  called,  and  the  general,  seeing  the  state 
of  the  army,  or  more  properly  of  the  crowd,  proposed  to  pro- 
ceed airainst  the  Indian  towii.s  with  live  hundred  men,  if  that 
number  would  volunteer  their  services,  while  the  remainder 
might  return  to  Fori  Harrison.  \V  hen  the  proposal  was  made 
to  tiie  men,  not  one  would  turn  out ;  ilie  j^cneral  having  entire- 
ly lost  his  popularity.  He  then  requested  to  be  permitted  to 
direct  the  operations  of  that  sinsjle  diiy ;  this  being  agreed  to, 
he  placed  himself  at  their  head,  and  gave  orders  to  march  ;  but 
instead  of  following  him,  tluiv  turned  rourul,  and  pursued  a 
contrary  direction,  leaving  him  to  bring  up  the  rear.  Finding 
it  useless  to  attempt  any  thing  further  with  such  a  body,  he 
followed  it  to  Fort  Harrison. 

The  same  oliicer,  some  time  in  November,  led  another  party, 
with  more  success,  against  the  towns  at  the  head  ojthc  Wabash. 
On  the  11th,  he  again  set  out  iVom  Fort  Harrison,  with  about 
one  thousand  two  hundred  men;  while  at  the  same  time,  seven 
boats,  under  the  command  of  lieutenant-colonel  Butler,  as- 
cended the  river  with  supplies  and  provisions.  On  the  19th, 
he  reached  the  Frophet's  'I'own,  and  immediately  despatched 
three  hundred  men  to  surprise  the  Winnebaoo  towns  on  Ponce 
Passu  creek,  'i'iie  party  under  colonel  Huiler,  came  upon  the 
place  about  daybreak,  but  found  it  evacuated.  This  village, 
together  with  the  Prophet's  'i'ow  n,  and  a  large  Kiekapoo  village, 
containing  one  himdred  and  twenty  cabins  and  huts,  were  de- 
stroyed, together  with  the  winter's  provision  of  corn.  Until 
the  21st,  no  Iitdians  were  discovered;  when  they  fired  on  a 
small  party,  and  killed  a  man  by  the  name  of  Dunn,  a  gallant 
soldier  of  Duvall's  company.  TJie  next  day,  about  sixty  horse- 
men, under  colonels  Miller  and  Wilcox,  being  sent  out  to  bury 
the  dead,  were  suddenly  attacked  by  a  considerable  party  of 
Indians  ;  and,  in  the  skirmish  which  ensued,  eighteen  of  our 
men  were  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  The  principal  camp 
of  the  Indians  having  been  discovered,  preparations  were  made 
to  attack  it,  but  on  approaching  it,  the  enemy  were  found  to 


I 


fll? 


02 


UU.VCKEN'Ul  DOE'S 


* 


Ucfoiir(;  of  I-'ort  Harrison. 


)■■■ 

I 


h'f  ''I 


••'W  ..  t' 


M 


have  gone  oflT.  Their  siiuniioii  was  remarkahly  stronj^,  being 
on  a  high  bank  ol'  the  I'onci;  Passu,  ami  no  means  ot'  ascending 
but  tliroutih  some  narrow  ravines.  'I'he  inel(!mcnt  season  ad- 
vancinjf  rapidly,  it  was  dcenKsd  prudent  to  think  of  returning, 
particularly  as  the  i(;e  in  the  river  hciran  t(»  obstruct  the  passage. 
The  success  and  good  conduct  of  tins  ilctachnient  Ibrms  a  fa- 
vourable contrast  with  the  lirst,  and  proves  that  mililiamay,  in 
time,  be  trained  to  the  discipline  of  the  camp,  so  as  to  become 
ellicient  troops.  This  corps  sullc'red  exceedingly,  and  without 
a  miirnnu';  many  of  them  wcmc  si(;k,  and  to  use  the  wonJs  of 
ilie  geiuM-il,  many  were  "  shoeless  and  siiirtless,"  during  the 
cold  weather  of  this  season. 

We  have  passed  over,  without  noticing,  but  with  the  inten- 
tion of  recording  in  a  more  distiniTuislicd  manner,  the  defence 
of  Fort  IJariison,  ulilfh  was  tinulv  relieved  \>y  general  Hop- 
kins, on  his  lirst  expedition.  This  fort  was  invested  about  the 
same  lime  with  l-'orl  \V':iyiie,  by  u  large;  Ixuly  of  Indians,  some 
of  whom  hail  alfecieil  to  be  friendly,  and  had,  the  day  before, 
intimated  to  captain  'I'aylor,  that  an  attack  might  soon  be  ex- 
])ected  from  liie  rrophel's  i)arty.  On  the  evening  (d' the  3d  of 
September,  two  young  ukmi  were  killed  i;ear  the  fort,  and  the 
next  day,  a  parly  oi' thirty  ov  Ibriy  Indians,  from  the  I'rophet's 
To\vn,  appeareil  with  a  wliile  llag,  under  ])relence  of  obtaining 
j)rovisioiis.  (.'aiilain  Taylor,  susj)ecling  an  attack  that  night, 
examined  the  arms  id'  his  nu'n,  and  furnished  them  with  car- 
tridges, 'i'he  garrison  was  coniposed  of  no  more  than  eighteen 
etlec-live  men,  the  commander  and  the  greater  part  ol"  his  com- 
pany having  suli'ered  vm'v  mucii  from  sickness.  For  sometime 
past,  the  Ibrt  had  aclually  been  considered  incaj)able  of  resist- 
ing an  attack.  About  eleven  o'clock,  the  night  being  very  dark, 
the  Indians  had  set  lire  to  one  of  tlie  block-houses  unperceived. 
Every  etlbrt  wis  made  to  extinguish  the  llames,  but  without 
elieci;  a  quaniitv  of  whi>kev,  amotiy^l  other  Mores  helon<'"in('' 
to  the  contractor  deposited  there,  blazed  up.  and  immediately 
enveloped  the  whole  in  a  (lame.  The  situation  of  tiie  fort  be- 
came desperate  ;  the  yells  of  the  Indians,  the  shrieks  of  a  num- 
ber of  women  and  children  within,  added  to  the  horrors  of 
the  night,  altogether  produced  a  lerritie  scene.  Two  soldiers, 
giving  themselves  up  for  lost,  leaped  over  the  pickets,  and  one 
of  them  was  instantly  cut  to  pieces.  The  commander,  with 
great  ])resence  of  mind,  ordered  the  roofs  to  be  taketi  oft"  the 
adjoining  barracks  ;  this  attempt,  with  the  assi>tance  of  Dr 
Clark,  fortunately  proved  successful,  although  made  under  a 
sliower  of  bullets.  A  breast- work  was  then  formed,  before 
morning,  six  or  eight  feel  high,  so  as  to  cover  the  space  which 


P- 


destroy 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


63 


onif,  being 

ascending 

season  ad- 

retiirninjr* 

le  passage. 

Ibrnis  a  fa- 

tia  may,  in 

to  become 

lid  wiihout 

L'  words  of 

during  tlie 

I  the  inten- 
ihe  dt  fence 
iieral    Hop- 
d  about  the 
haiis,  some 
day  before, 
icon  be  ex- 
i>f  the  3d  of 
»rt,  and  the 
e  i'rophei's 
)f  ubtaining 
liiat   night, 
111  with  car- 
an  eighteen 
of  his  com- 
r  some  time 
hi  of  resisi- 
r  very  dark, 
iiperceived. 
but  without 
hi'ionging 
n  mediately 
the  fort  be- 
Ls  of  a  num- 
horrors   of 
wo  soldiers, 
ets,  and  one 
ander,  with 
liven  oft"  the 
auce  of  Dr 
\de  under  a 
med,  before 
space  which 


Exijrditifin  iindrr  Colonrl  niifsoll F.xprdition  under  Colonpl  Cainphrll. 

would  be  h'fi  by  the  burnt  bhick-honse.  The  firinn-  continued 
until  dayliirht,  when  the  Iiuiians  retired,  after  sulVcnng  a  severe 
loss  ;  that  of  the  fort  was  only  thrf>e  kiUed,  and  a  few  wounded. 
The  IndiaiiP,  discouranfed  by  the  failure  of  this  allaeU,  thought 
pro[)er  to  retire,  and  made  no  further  attempts,  until  the  place 
was  h:ip[>iiy  relieved  by  iIk;  arrival  of  l'^i'iutmI  Ilojtkins.  In 
conse(|iieii('e  of  his  eonduct,  captain  Taylor  was  alterwards 
promotetl  to  a  miijorily. 

Another  expedition  was  undtTtalcen  by  colonel  Russell,  with 
three  companies  f>f  United  Slutes  ranL''crs,  :nul  a  parly  of 
mounled  rillemen,  uiuler  governor  Mdwnrds,  of  Illinois.  'J'his 
parly,  consistiuir  ot  three  huiulred  and  sixty  men,  was  destined 
to  meet  ueiun-al  Hopkins  at  (he  I'eoria  towns,  on  the  Illinois 
river,  'i'hey  were  disappointed  in  thi:^,  in  consoipience  of 
whiit  lins  been  already  detiiiied  ;  but  they,  uolwilhstanding, 
persevered  iti  their  enterpri/e,  and  destroyed  one  of  the  lowns 
known  I)y  the  ninne  of  Painitaris's  town,  and  j)ursued  the  In- 
dians into  a  swamp  in  its  vieinily,  where  they  had  lied  for 
shelter.  The  pioMy  waded  into  the  swamp  for  several  n)iles, 
in  SOUK!  pl.ie(>s  U)  the  waist  in  water,  and  killed  upwards  of 
twenty  ol'  the  enemy  in  this  place,  on  the  bank  of  the  river. 
The  viihiiri',  which  was  populous  and  llourishinLT.  was  com- 
l)letcly  (les;i)yed,  (oirether  with  their  winter's  provisions.  The 
j)arty  relurned  lo  camp  on  the  21st  of  October,  after  an  ab- 
sence of  only  thirteen  days. 

liieutennul  colonel  Campbell  of  the  Nineteenth  United  States 
infantry,  was,  about  the  same  lime,  detaciied  aLMinst  ihe  towns 
on  the  jMississinewa  river,  a.  brancl;  oJ"tlu!  ^^  abash.  A  town, 
inhabited  by  Delawares  and  Miiunis,  was  surprised  on  the  I7th 
of  November  ;  upwards  of  thirty  persons  were  taken  prison- 
ers, and  eight  warriors  killed.  The  next  morning,  at  daylight, 
a  furious  attack  was  made  on  the  American  camp:  major  Hall, 
with  his  dragoons,  sustaiiu'd  the  onset  for  some  tinu';  and  a 
well  directed  lire  irom  captain  Hiillor's  "  riitsburgh  volun- 
teers," compelled  the  e:u'iiiy  to  n'wv  way.  Captain  'IVolter, 
of  the  Lexiiiiiton  troop  of  horse,  charged,  and  the  Imlians  pre- 
eipilalely  lied.  Captain  Tcan-e,  of  the  Zanesville  troop,  was, 
unfortunately,  killed  in  the  pursuit.  Jiieutenant  NValtz,  of  the 
Pennsylvania  volunteers,  was  also  killed,  'i'he  ollicers  parti- 
ticularly  named  (ui  the  oecasitm  were  lieutenant-colonel  8im- 
meral,  major  M'Dowell,  captains  Markle,  INrClelland,  CJarrard 
and  Hopkins.  'I'he  loss  in  killed  (ui  the  jiart  of  the  assailants, 
amounted  to  forty  ;  and  on  our  part  to  eight  killed,  and  about 
thirty  wounded.  Several  of  their  villages  were  afterwards 
destroyed. 


;l 


i'^ 


64 


nUACKENUlDt^E'S 


SiTurity  of  tlic  Frontier  i'!«lalili-«luHl. 

Besides  those  aOairs,  ihno  were  otiiors  of  lri<s  moment,  iii 
which  the  militia  of  Iiuhaiia,  Illinois,  and  Missouri  territories, 
greatly  disiinj^uished  themselves.  'I'he  Indiae.  were  now  so 
muejj  harassed,  that  they  heiraii  seriously  to  re|  >t  (»f  having 
taken  uj)  the  war-cluh  so  hastily  ;  and  iheir  sullen  •,  during  the 
succeeding  winter,  were  not  likcdy  to  [)io(hice  any  change  of  feel- 
ing towards  those  who  had  thus  urged  tliein  to  encounter  their 
own  ruin.  The  security  of  the  frontiiT  from  the  murderous 
scalping  knife  of  the  savaiic,  was  thus,  in  a  great  measure, 
effected,  'i'he  Inilians  would  he  compelleil  to  remove  to  the 
distant  IJritish  estahlishmeiits  for  sustenance,  tluring  the  win- 
ter, since  their  means  of  suhsisteiuie  were  cut  olf.  As  to  the 
loss  of  their  huts  or  wigwams,  that  was  a  matter  <if  little  con- 
sequence to  them  ,  :•  few  days  heiuL''  sulllcient  t()  re-construct 
them.  IJul  hy  their  heing  thus  diiven  to  a  di.stance,  with  their 
wives  anil  children,  they  were  prevented  from  aimoying  the  set- 
tlers, with  titeir  liendlike  warfare.  Many  a  peaceful  settler 
was  saved  from  their  midiiiiiht  attacks;  ami  "the  slumhers  of 
the  cradle"  were  protected  from  the  savage  war-whoop. 


CHAPTER  \. 


TrooMs  on  tlie  ranad:!  Frontier— r:i|itiirc  of  tlie  Caledonia— Battle  of  llueenstown, 
and  Deatn  of  (nneral  Uiock — IJnnilianlinent  of  I'oit  XiaL'ara  liy  liie  I!riti>li — Alioitive 
.ittempt  of(;eiieral  Smyth — N'ortliern  Army— ln(  ursion  of  Forsyth— of  (.'olonul  I'ike — 
War  on  tht  Lakes — First  Cruise  of  Coninioilnre  Chaimcey. 

It  is  now  time  to  turn  our  attention  to  the  Nortlicrn  fron- 
tier, that  we  may  take  a  view  of  the  occurrences  on  that  ex- 
tensive line,  from  Niagara  down  the  St  Lawrence.  Towards 
the  close  of  the  year,  our  forces  had  chiefly  concentrated  in 
two  bodies :  one  near  Lewistown,  consisting  of  some  regulars 
newly  enlisted,  and  militia,  amounting  to  four  thousand  men, 
under  general  Van  liensselaer,  of  New  York;  the  other,  in  the 
neigh.hourhood  of  Plaltsbuig  and  Greenbush,  under  the  com- 
inandcr-in-chief,  general  Dearborne.  At  Black  Rock,  at  Og- 
densburg,  and  Sackett's  Harbour,  souk;  regulars  and  militia 
were  also  stationed.  During  the  summer  and  autumn,  a  num- 
ber of  volunteer  companies  had  marched  to  the  borders,  as  also 
the  new  recruits,  as  fast  as  they  could  be  enlisted.     Bodies  of 


WliO, 


i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


CS 


nomout,  111 
iin-r;U>rit;s, 
re  now  so 
of  having 
,  (UirinjTlhe 

iimter  their 
niurtlerous 
I  measure, 
nove  U)  the 
ijr  ihe  win- 
As  to  the 
f  little  con- 
rc-coiislriici 
,  with  iheir 
injr  llie  set- 
•eriil  seliler 
slumbers  of 

lOOp. 


of  Hucinstown, 
riti>li— Atiiiilivr 
fCilontl  I'ikt— 


)rtl!crn  fron- 
on  that  ex- 
Towards 
cenlrated  in 
•inc  regulars 
)usan(l  men, 
other,  in  the 
cr  the  com- 
nck,  at   Og- 
and  militia 
mm,  a  nuin- 
ders,  as  also 
.     Bodies  of 


J 


TroDp-'  nti  I  III"  Caniiiln  Front  iir .rapnir«>  of  the  Cali'donia. 

regulars  were  disirihiileil  in  each  of  these  places,  with  oflicers 
of  experience,  (or   the   purpose  of  drilling   the  raw  troops  as 
they  arrived.      It   vas  ex[)cct('d  that  before  the  month  of  Octo- 
ber, every  thing  would   lie  in;ii!(!  ready  for  a  f{»rinidal)le  inva- 
sion of  (^'anada.     Coiisidcra!)h;  disa])poiiilMient  was,  however, 
experienced,  in  con>*e(jueui(!  of  the  refusal  ul"  the  L^overr.ors  of 
Massachusetts,  New    Ilamp.sJiire,  and   Connecticut,  to  permit 
the  militia  of  those  states  to  man;h  under  the  retpiisition  of  the 
presitlcnl,  on   the   ground   of  their   lieing  the   proper  judges, 
under  the  constitution,  of  the  rxitrcucy  which   inijiht  rccpiire 
ihem  ;  aiul  as  they  were   not  friendly  to  the  war,  aiul  p.uticu- 
larly  so   to  rendering   it  oll'cnsive,  they  felt  no  disj)OMtion  to 
waive  their  privihiges.     Other  constitutional  ol)jeclions  were 
also  iirfjed,  which  it  is  sc.irccly  necessary  to  mention.      As  the 
militia  in  those  stat(.'s   were  Ixnter  disciplined,  and  more  ellec- 
tive,  than  any  in   the   union,  their  absence  was  severely  felt. 
It  is  highly  probable,  that  had  there  been  a  full  co-operation  on 
iho  j)ait  t)f  these  stales   with  the  views  of  the  general  govern- 
ment, [ipper  C^anada,  at  least,  woulil  have  fallen  into  our  hands, 
in  the  course  of  the  first  campaign.     Military  stores  had  been 
collec'ed  at  dillerent  |)oints  ;    and  general  Dearborne,  who  had 
been  ;'.ji[)ointed  in  conse(|i;t'Mce  of  his  experience  in  the  revo- 
lutionary war,  was   actively  eiiiraircd,   wit'i    the   assistance    of 
.'-iii'h  ollicers  as  l^iUe,  Hoyd  and  >Scolt,  in  iliilliiig,  disciplining, 
and  organizing  his  army.      (General  .Smyi!i,  who  was  consiiler- 
ed  an  able  tactician,  was  similarly  engaged.      IJetween   eight 
and  t<3n  thousand  men  were  collected  nlonLf  this  extensive  line, 
and  it  w:is  hoped  thai  someliiing  iniirlit  still  be  done.     Skilful 
oiiiccrs  of  the  navy  were  also   dcs[)atclied,  for   tlu^  juirposc  of 
arming  vessels  on  lakes  Erie,  Ontario  and  Uhamphiin,  in  order 
if  possible  to  gain  the  ascendtncy  there,  and  to  aid  the  opera- 
tions of  our   lorces.     The  army  uiuler  the   command  of  Van 
IJcn-seiaer  was  called   the  Army  of  the  Centre,  to  distinguish 
it  from  that  under  general  Harrison,     'i'hat  under  tlie  immedi- 
ate command  of  general  Dearborne,  the  Army  of  the  North. 

On  the  UKn-ning  of  the  8th  of  (October,  the  British  brig 
Dciioit,  ibrmerly  the  A(huns  surrendered  by  Hull,  and  the 
briir  Caledonia,  came  tlown  tVom  .Maldi'u,  and  anchored  under 
th(!  guns  of  Fort  Erie,  nearly  ojiposite  Black  Ro(;k  ;  lieutenant 
Elliot,  of  the  navy,  conceived  the  idea  of  attacking  them,  and 
sent  an  expr(;ss  to  hasten  the  seamen,  then  on  the  way,  and 
w!io,  about  tilty  in  number,  arrive  I  in  the  evcniii*r,  wearied 
witii  a  mar(;h  of  five  hundreil  miles.  Allowing  them  until 
twelve  at  niiiht  for  repose,  he  then  emliarked  in  boats  with 
about   tifty    volunteers,    who  joined  him,    and,    crossing    the 


im 


r 


flii 


r* 


III" 


I  ;i; 

t 


\ni 


66 


nR\CKENRTDf;F;s 


llallli  lit  <iiii  I'tiittdwn. 


river,  slipped  down  to  the  brigs  ;  sndiU'uIy  hoardrd  tlioin,  and 
look  pussossion,  and  imnicdiatrly  ^ot  under  wciirli,  l>nt  tho 
wind  not  hcin^r  sulllt'iontly  stronL^  lo  Ix.'ar  tlicnj  ajrainwl  tlic  cur- 
rent, llicy  were  both  run  a<;rf>und  ;  tbe  Caledonia,  so  as  to  be 
protected  by  tlu;  batteries  ol"  Hlaek  KoeU  ;  but  tbe  Detroit,  after 
l)einj^  d('l'{'nd(Ml,  until  a  con^^iderable  p;irt  ol"  tbe  nnlitary  storc.'S 
on  board  were  secured,  was  set  on  lire  and  destroyed.  Tbe 
Caledonia  was  laden  witb  furs  to  tbe  amount  of  one  bundreil 
and  fifty  ibousaiul  dollars.  'I'bis  was  clleeled  witb  tbe  loss  of 
only  two  killed,  and  fotir  wouinb'd. 

Tbis  aP'iir,  bar  inn  kindled  tbe  ardour  of  t!»e  Americans  of 
tbe  Army  of  tbe  ( 'entre,  ibey  deman(!( d  lo  be  b.'d  lo  tbe  invasion 
of  (^'anaila,  ami  soni''  of  tbe  volunteers  tjireatened  to  return 
bonu',  uidess  ibeir  \\i  i"  s  were  complied  witb.  IJut  tbis  was 
not  tbe  ardour  of  veterans,  well  acijuainteil  with  tl:('dan<xcrs  lo 
be  encountered,  and  (b^spisiiiir  tbem;  it  was  tbe  inconsiderate 
vasbness  of  inexjx'rienced  mcii,  ready  to  a.ni.-ipale  tbe  proper 
inonuMit,  but  not  posscssinjx  ibe  lirnness  to  persevere  wben 
surroinided  by  unaecustonied  terror.-.  After  sieonfcrenee  v»ii}i 
generals  SSm}  b  and  Hall,  <^eneral  \'an  Kunsscbier  resolved  to 
make  an  attack  op.  the  bei'^bts  of  tiueenstown.  From  the  in- 
forinalion  be  could  oollt;(;l,  tbe  enemy's  force  bad  been  cbieHy 
drawn  oil"  for  tbe  defence  of  Maiden,  as  it  wa.s  supposed,  under 
tbe  command  of  j^eneral  Brock,  wbo  bad  left  tbe  territory  of 
Micbigtui  under  tbe  i.rovernmcnt  of  ooiu-ral  I'roctor,  until  be 
could  or<>;ani/,e  a  force  lo  return.  CmmII  ibis  place  be  j)ossessed 
by  our  troops,  tbey  would  be  .sbelteretl  from  tbe  approacbin<; 
inclemency  of  tbe  season,  and  tbe  operati(jns  of  the  Western 
Army  much  facilitated.  AccordiuLily,  at  four  in  the  niornin<Tof 
tbe  lull,  in  ibe  midst  of  a  dreadful  northeast  storm  and  heavy 
rain,  an  allcmpt  was  made  to  pass  ilie  river;  but,  owinj:  to  the 
darkness  of  the  niijhl  and  various  unforeseen  accidents,  the 
passage  could  !U)l  he  ell'ected. 

This  failure  but  servcil  to  increase  the  impatience  of  tbe 
troops,  wbo  became  almost  ungovernable.  Orders  were  des- 
patched to  general  ymytb,  lo  advance  with  bis  corps,  as  another 
allcmpt  woidd  be  made  on  (iueenslown.  Every  arran<:remenl 
was  rapidly  made;  and  early  on  the  moriiinij  of  the  Kith,  tbe 
troo})s  embarked,  under  the  cover  of  tbe  American  batteries. 
Tbe  force  desiunated  to  storm  ibebeiiibts,  was  divided  into  two 
columns  ;  one  of  three  bundred  militia,  under  colonel  V'an  Rens- 
selaer, the  other  of  three  bundred  reoulars,  uniler  colonel  Chris- 
tie. 'J'hese  were  to  be  followed  by  colonel  Fenwick's  artillery, 
and  then  liic  other  troops  in  order,  Tbe  British,  in  the  mean- 
while, anticipatinir  ibis  attack,  bad  obtained  considerable  rein- 
forcemenls  from  Fort  George,  and  if  necessary,  could  be  still 


1 


MW- 


HISTORY  OF  Tilt:  WAK. 


«7 


llniili'  i>t dtiiTiiMtmn. 


tlioin,  and 
h,  1)111  the 
isi  llic  cur- 
.s(»  as  ti)  l)C 
droit,  aficr 
itary  ston.'H 
veil.  'I'Ik; 
lie  limulrt'd 

ihf  lusis  1)1" 

incricans  of 

lie  invasion 

(I  U)   rcinni 

nt  tl>is  was 

'  (laiififcrs  to 

iconsicU'raie 

the  proper 

;nv(>re  when 

orencc  \>iLli 

rcsolvid  to 

'roni  the   iii- 

j(HMi  fliirlly 

)osc(l,  junior 

territory  ol' 

)r,  unlil  he 

('  l)l)^;S(•SSCtl 

pproaching 
ic  Western 
niorninjjoi' 
anil  heavy 
win^r  to  the 
ulcnls,  the 

cMce  of  tlie 

rs  wore  des- 

,  as  another 

uraiiiienient 

le   Kith,  the 

n    halieiies?. 

led  into  two 

1  \'an  liens- 

lonel  ('hris- 

k"s  artillery, 

u  the  niean- 

leralile  rein- 

ould  be  still 


further  assisted  hy  L'eneral  HroeU,  who,  it  now  appeared,  eoin- 
niandcd  at  that  plaee.     At  dayliufhl,  as  soon  as    the  approach 
of  ihf  Anterit'ans  coiild  he  discovcreil,  a  shower  of  musketry 
anil   jrrap(!  opened   from  the  whole  line  on   the  Canada  shore 
anil    was   n-tnrned   hy  our  halleries,  with    tin;  addiln)n   of  two 
sixes,  whieh,  al'ter  an  I'xiraordinary  ellbrt,  licntenant-eolonjd 
Scott  liad  hrouifjitto  their  assistance  I'lom  the  l''allM  of  Nia;rara. 
'i'hu    firs;    ol"   the   enemy,   aad    the   etldies    in    the    river,   pro- 
duced consid('ral)h'  (Muharrassment,  in  eonsci|uenc(!  ol"  whieh, 
lieutenant-eoloncd    Christie,    who    was   woinided    hy    ;'   fjrapc 
shot    in  the  hand,    and  cojoncd    .Mulaney,    fell   hclow    the  in- 
tended   ()oinl,    and    were    ohlijcd    to    return.       Colonel    Van 
HenssehuT,  who  eoinmaniied  tlit!  wlioli-,  and  w  ho  led  the  van, 
reached  the  shore,  with  only  one  hundred  men,  in  the  nndstof 
a  most  uallinsr  fire.      He  had  scarcely  leaped  on  land,  when  he 
received  four  severe  wounds,  which  retarded  the  onset.      This 
L^allant  ollicer,  l)einif  still   al)l(!   to    stand,  thouiih   sull'eriiif.''   tin; 
most  excruciatiiiir  pain,  ordered   his  men   to  move  rapidly  up 
the  heights.     Captain  ()i:il  vie  assumed  the  command,  Heeoiuled 
by  captain    Wool,  who  was    also   wounded,  and   followed   by 
li(mtenants    Kearney,  Carr,   lliiiLMnan,    Sommers,  and   ensiirn 
Reeve  ol'  the   Thirteenth,      liieutenant.s  (iaiisevoorl  and  Ran- 
dolph asceniled  the  rocks  to    the  riijht  of  the  foil,  jravc  three 
cheers,  and  after  i<everal   desi)erate  charges,  at  the   head  of  a 
handlul  of  men,  carried  the  heijilits,  and  drove  the  enemy  down 
the  lull    in   everv  din.'ction.     Tin*  enemv  retreated   behind   a 
lar^;e  stone   house,  and  kej)t  up  their  lire  ;   hiu  their  batteries, 
with  the  exception  of  one  gun,  were  silenced.     The  detachment 
under   colonel   Christie,  on    his  second   attempt,   now  landed. 
Considerable  reiid'orcemenis  soon  after  arrived,  under  captains 
Ciibsun,  AlH.'hesney  ami    Lawrenci';  and  colonels  .Mead,  Sira- 
han,  AlliMi,  and  other  militia  ollicers.     About  this  time  •reneral 
Ikock  arrived   in   person,  with   the  Forty-ninth  reirinu'iit,  six 
hundred  stronu.      FerceiviuL' him  apjjroachiin^' to  the  rear  of  the 
battery,  ca|)taiu  \\ Ool.  who  commamled  at  this  point,  ordered  a 
detachment  of  aboiU  one    hundred    ami    sixty  men    to  charLfe. 
The  dctarhment  was  driven  back,l'Ut  bein((  reinforced,  charired 
a  second  time.     Kncoimterinir  a  ttreat  superiority  oi"  mind)(;rs, 
they  were  a<iain  repidscd,  and  on  the  point  of  beini:- driven  to  the 
^(M•y  verifolthe  precipice,  when  oiu'  of  the  ollicers,  coi'sidcrinir 
theirsiiuation  hopeless,  placed  a  white  handkerchief  on  the  j)oint 
of  a  bayonet,  in  token  of  submission,  which  was  instaiuly  torn 
away    by   ca|)t;un  Wool,   wlio  ordered  llu!  men  to  stand  their 
ffroimd.      Ai   this  instant,  colonel  Christie  advanced  with  a  re- 
inforcement, whicli  increased  the  number  of  the  detachment  to 


!ft 


IJ 


I'^k 


68 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Iltittle  of  (liu'cnstown,  and  Death  officneral  Drock. 


three  luindix'd  and  twenty.  This  olhcer  now  led  on  a  despe- 
rate char<re,  and  conipUuely  succeeded  in  putting  to  Ihirht  a  regi- 
ment twice  liis  nmnbers,  and  hearinir  the  name  of  Invincililes. 
General  Mrock,  rx.is|)(;ralod  at  this  conchK't,  end(  avourcd  to 
rally  them,  when  he  received  lliree  hi^U.-:,  u  hich  terminated  his 
existence;  his  aid,  captain  ArDonald,  at  the  same  instant  lallinj^ 
by  his  side,  ni(»rtally  wounded.  At  two  o'clock,  {General 
Wadswoiih  of  the  militia,  and  colonels  .Scott  and  .Mnlaney 
crossed  over.  Captai.:  \V;,()i,  havin;;  I)een  ordered  to  retire  to 
have  his  wounds  dressed,  ajjain  returned  to  the  action.  'J'he 
Forty-ninth  l)ein«(  repulsed,  and  the  I'riiish  commander  havini; 
fallen,  t!ie  victory  was  thou<zht  to  i)e  complete  ;  and  jjencral 
Van  Kensselaer  crossed  over,  ("or  the  purpose  ol"  immediately 
fortilyiu<r  a  camp,  to  prepare  airainst  future  attacks,  should  the 
enemy  l)o  reinforced.  This  duly  he  assi^nted  to  lieutenant 
Totten,  an  ahle  enjiineer. 

'J'he  foitune  of  thi;  day  was  not  yet  decided.  At  three 
o'clock,  the  enemy  havini>"  rallied,  and  heinir  reinforced  by 
several  hundred  Chippewa  Indians,  auain  advanced  to  the  at- 
tack. At  lirsl,  our  men  wer'^  disposed  lo  falter,  but  beinj;  ani- 
mated I  y  such  leaders  as  coloiul  Christie  and  cctUuiel  JScott, 
marched  iiohlly  to  the  char<re,  and  at  tiie  point  of  the  bayonet, 
once  nu)re  I'ompelled  tJic  iiriiish,  who  wer;;  now  the  r-  lilauts, 
lo  retire.  This  was  the  third  xictory  trained  since  morning, 
and  had  the  contest  endi'd  here,  it  would  have  been  one  of  the 
most  {glorious  for  our  country,  (umeral  Van  Riiisselaer  per- 
ceivin^r  that  the  men  on  the  opposite  sale  eml)arkeil  but  slowly, 
and  feariiiijj  another  conllict,  re-croh^eil  for  the  purpose  of  expe- 
diting their  ilei)artnre.  IJut  what  vas  his  astonishment,  on 
reaching  the  American  side,  when  hef  >und  that  they  positively 
refused  toemi)ark!  More  than  twelve  hundred  men  uiuler 
arms  were  drawn  uj)  on  the  bank,  where  they  remained  as 
idle  spectators  of  the  scene,  and  neiiiur  commands  nor  entrea- 
ties could  prevail  on  them  to  move.  'I'liey  relused  to  do  soon 
the  iirouiul  ot'  constitutional  pri\ile;je  ;  tlie  sr^ne  men,  who  a 
few  days  befcu'c  had  expressed  so  mui'h  impatience  that  their 
ardour  was  ix'striincul.  it  seems  tiiat  this  bulling  ardour  had 
already  lieen  cooleil,  by  what  they  havl  witnessed  oii  tjie  oppo- 
site shore. 

At  lour  o'clock,  the  Brilisli  beinijreinlorced  by  einhi  hundred 
men  I'rom  I'ori  (Jeorge,  renewed  the  engairemeni  wiih  Iresh 
vigour.  (Jeneral  Van  Kensselatr,  perceivimi  that  our  men 
were  now  almost  exhausted  with  fatigue,  anil  their  ammuniiion 
nearly  spent,  was  cempeHed,  under  the  most  painful  sensations, 
to  address  a  note   U)  general    '■Vadsworih,  coinnnmicating  the 


was 


HISTORY  OF  'I'm:  wai; 


09 


a  despc- 
hl  a  rcgi- 
.iiiciljlcs. 
(iur<Ml  to 
iialoil  his 
lit  fMllitiff 
{Tcneral 
.Mulancy 

retire  to 
n.  The 
[f  having 
1  general 
iieilialclv 
loukl  the 
it'll  tenant 

At   three 

(fcetl   liy 

D  the  al- 

einir  ani- 

el  JScolt, 

hayonet, 

lilants, 

luoniing, 

ic  of  the 

!er  per- 

t  slowly, 

ol  exjie- 

iiKMii,  on 

ositively 

n    iiiider 

lined   as 

r  eiitrea- 

do  so  on 

1,  w  ho  a 

Kit  tiicir 

our   iiad 

he  oppo- 

liiiiidred 
iih  l'rei?ii 
iiir  men 
nuniiion 
iisaiions, 
ling  the 


liiitili'  iirtint'f'ii-itiiwii, 

UMcNjitrU'd  circiinistance.  and  iiiviiiu  him  pi-riiiission  lo  coiifjiilt 
his  o\\  n  judunient ;  and  at  the  same  time  he  despaiched  a  number 
ol"  hoats,  that  in  .  ase  it  should  he  so  resolved,  he  iiiiLdit  return 
with  his  troops  to  the  American  side.  A  desperate  eoutest  soon 
followed,  which  was  kept  up  for  half  an  hour,  hy  a  ((mtimied 
discliaroe  of  musketry  and  artillery  ;  when  our  troops  were 
gradually  overpowered  hy  nnnd)ers,  their  strenL^ih  rajddly  de- 
clininii',  and  their  liopes  heinij  .e-nhdueil  hy  die  information  they 
had  hy  thi,•^  time  received.  The  inililia  attempted  to  re-eml)ark, 
hill  ill  this  ihev  were  frustrated.  It  heiiiir  impossihle  to  hold 
oui  any  longer,  and  more  overcome  iiv  the  aptiihy  of  their 
countrymen,  who  stood  looking  coldly  on,  than  l)y  the  strength 
of  tlieir  foes,  they  at  l(MiL''lh  surrendered  themselves  prisoners 
of  war.  DuiiiiL'"  'lu)  iireater  part  ol'  the  enL'';>L''emeiit  with  the 
last  reiiiforccineni,  the  rei;idars,  not  more  than  two  liiindrtHl  and 
fifty  ill  number,  bore  the  brunt  of  the  action  enlirtdy  alone. 
'J'he  pristmers  were  generally  treated  well  l)y  the  IJrilish,  but 
they  imposed  no  restraint  on  their  allit-s,  who  proceeded  im- 
mediately to  the  work  of  sirippiuir  and  sralpini,''  the  '<lain,  and 
even  many  of  the  wounded.  AmonL^st  ollnn  indig  iities  which 
these  wretches  were  not  restrained  from  committing,  were  those 
oU'ered  to  the  body  of  ensiirn  Morris,  brother  to  our  naval  hero. 
ContrasKul  with  this,  it  is  worthy  of  luMnir  meiilioned,  that  the 
tnms  of  the  American  fort  were  lired  diiriiii[  the  luneral  cere- 
mony of  general  Brock,  a  brave  and  generous  enemy.  I'^ven 
savaires,  had  they  chosen  to  inquire  the  meaning  of  this,  ought 
to  lune  learned  a  lesson  of  liumaniiy,  which  their  livilized  allies 
couUl  not  leach. 

Every  ollicer  wlio  crossed  the  tiver,  it  is  said,  distinguished 
himself.  ( "olonel  Scott,  afterwards  so  hiirhly  disiiiiLniished,  con- 
tinued till'  irreater  part  of  the  day  oi  the  jioltest  ol'  the  li>rht,and 
allhoiiLdi  dressed  in  uniform,  and  of  a  tall  and  eleuant  ;-tature, 
did  iiol  receive  the  slit;!itesi  wound.  Several  Indians  afterwards 
declared  that  they  had  taken  deliberate;  aim  at  him.  A  volun- 
teer company  of  rillcmen  under  lieutenant  Smith,  who  took 
prisoner  an  Indian  chief,  when  the  enemy  rallied  a  second 
time,  was  much  distiii<ruislieil.  liieutenant  colonel  l"'enwiek. 
was  severely  wounded,  but  never  left  t!ie  irround  during  the 
action.  Captains  (libson,  Wool,  and  .M'(/hesney,  were  highly 
complimented  by  tie  general.  'I'he  loss  of  the  Hritish  and 
Indians  is  not  exactly  known;  ours  must  have  been  at  least  one 
thousand  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners,  'i'he  greater  part 
of  the  prisoners  were  taken  to  Montreal. 

During  the  embarkation  of  the  troops  at  Lewistown,  a  fire 
was  opened  from  Fort  George  on  the  American  Fort  ISiagara, 


:.:'»■ 


li 


t; 


m 


hlh 


4.\ 


■.  t 


V 


fj 


70 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


DiiirihMrHnicnt  of  Fort  Niagara  liy  the  liritish. 


which  was  rctunied  and  kept  up  (hirinsr  the  clay  on  both  sides. 
Tlie  ballory  coiiiniamled  by  captain  iM'Kcun,  which  was  man- 
aged with  abihty,  f<cllire  to  several  hoii.scs  near  the  liritish  fort. 
A  twelve  pouiiiler  iKijipenin','' to  burst,  and  nl  Die  same  time  the 
opposite  (garrison  bcixinning  to  throw  siu'Hs,  captain  Jjconard 
thou<rht  it  pnulenl  to  leave  the  fort;  l)iit  soon  al'icr,  pereeivinjr 
llie  liritish  about  to  cross,  he  returned  with  a  iruaid  ol'  twenty 
men,  and  kepi  [)oss{'ssion  durinL''tlie  ni^ht.  'I'lie  next  evening" 
he  was  joined  bv  the  reni;'.indcr  of  tl.c  uarri.^on.  'I'hree  davs 
afterwards  tin;  |{r:lish  baticries  l)elow  Fort  Mrie,  openeil  a  lire 
on  llie  camp  at  I'lack  Rock.  One  of  the  barracks  was  de- 
stroyed by  a  .shell,  which  blew  up  th<;  magazine,  but  no  lives 


were  lost. 


'I'll 


)fiN 


ill) 


le  |farrison  ol  A  lai^ara,  liavin<i  oeen  consnlcrahly  rcinloricc 


d. 


was  airain   attacked 


on 


the  *2lst,   from    the    batteries  of   Fort 


Georg^e.  'i'hese  places  are  situated  nearly  opposite  each  other, 
and  at  tlie  entrance  of  the  NiaLfara.  'J'lie  cannonidiiii:  contiiuied 
from  sunrise  untd  dark,  tlu;  enemy  throwinif  upwards  of  three 


th 


ousaiul  re( 


l-hot 


iuit,  and  upwards  ol  two  humlred  shells;  severa 


il 


of  the  barracks  aiul  adjoiniuir  buildinjfs  were  lired,  but,  through 
the  indefatii^able  exertions  of  major  Armisteatl,  of  the  Fnited 
Stat(!S  artillery,  the  lire  was  repeatedly  exiiuLniished,      (Jolonel 


M'Feeley,  wiio  commaiuled  ti 
d  tl 


le  i'v>rt,  ordered  ih(!  dilh'rent  bat 


teries  to  open;  and  the  enemy  s  lire  was  returned  with  niterest. 
Several  houses  in  ISewark,  and  about  the  fort,  were  l)urnt  ;  a 
schooner  lyin<^  under  its  jiuns  was  stuik,  and  one  of  their  bat- 
teries for  a  time  c()m[)letely  sileiu'ed.  ('i'.|itain  ^FKeon  com- 
manded in  tin;  southeast  block-house,  and  captain  .la(k,  of  the 
militia  artillery,  in  the  northeast,  the  sitmition  luost  exposed. 
The  diderent  balt(!ries  were  commanded  by  lieutenants  i^ees 
and  Ileiulal,  both  of  which  were  very  destructive.  liieutenant 
(iansevoort  commanded  the  Salt  batlerv  ;  Doctor  ('oo|)er,  of 
the  militia,  had  the  c(^mmand  of  a  six-pounder.  liieutenant 
Recs  havin<^  been  wounded,  his  place  was  taken  by  ca|)tain 
lieomird,  durinj^  the  renuiinder  of  the  day.  I  )iirini,Mhis  severe 
boml)arihnent,  we  had  only  four  kdled,  and  a  small  nund)er 
woutjded,  amoni^  whom  was  lieutenant  Thomas.  C-olonel 
M'Feeley  spoke  in  high  terms  of  colonel  (iray,  major  Armi- 
slead,  captain  MuUiiran,  aiul  all  the  other  oIlii'cMs  and  men. 
Such  was   their  ardour,  that    havinir  expended    their  wadding, 


the  eni 


icers  tore  oil  tlu  ir  shirts  aiul  the  sohiiers  their  pantaloons, 
to  be  used  for  that  j)ur[)ose.  An  extraonli.iary  instance  of  fe- 
male bravery  occurred  on  this  occasion,  'i'lu;  wife  of  a  com- 
mon soldier,  of  the  name  of  Doyle,  taken  prisoner  at  Queens- 
town,  and   carried    to    Montreal,  determined    to   revenge   the 


treatmei 

permissi 

to  serve 

enemy's 

threaten 

Siiorti 

Van   Re 

hrigadiei 

Smyth  a 

the  Ame 

and  entr 

the  form 

selection 

i)atteries, 

(Miippew 

Renssela 

the  failiii 

inand,  ai 

lie  set  ah 

then  had 

ellectual 

aj)pealiiu 

peojjle,  a 

Every  to 

})eople,  V 

of  their  ;i 

had  thus 

failure, 

told  that 

tiieir  serv 

he  had  n 

iliese  bar 

then  add) 

appealiuii 

late  disas 

wives  atii 

sions  ol 

the  feel  in 

in  some 

indulged 

tated  by 

failure,  ii 

would  tlu 

was,  how 

ooi'ded  I) 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


71 


»ih  sides. 
iv:is  man- 
itisli  fort, 
time  tlio 
Jiconard 
crceiviiig 
)!'  twenty 
I  cvcninj,^ 
uco  (lays 
lied  a  lire 
s  was  de- 
L  MO  lives 

'inlovccd. 
i  ol'  Fort 
\c\\  other, 
roiitinucd 
s  of  three 
Is;  several 
t,  through 
le   I  nited 
Colonel 
'(■rent  hat- 
interest, 
hurnl ;  a 
their  hat- 
eon  eom- 
k,  of  the 
exposed. 
I  its   Rees 
cutenant 
()0]>er,  of 
ieut(.'nant 
y  captain 
lis  severe 
I   nmnher 
Colonel 
or  Arnii- 
ind    men. 
waddinjr, 
iiilaloons, 
iici'  of  fe- 
(»!'  a  eom- 
(•iueens- 
(  litre   the 


Abortive  iittcmpt  of  (ien(!ral  Smyth. 


treatment  of  her  luishand,  volunteered  her  services,  and  ohtained 
permission  to  assistat  one  of  the  hatieries,  where  she  eontinued 
to  serve  hot  shot  until  the  last  s:un  was  fired,  althouiili  the 
enemy's  shells  continually  fell  around  lier,  and  every  moment 
threatened  destruction. 

Shortly  alter  the  unfortunate  hattle  of  tiucenstown,  (Jcneral 
Van  Rensselaer  resigned  the  command,  which  devolved  on 
i)riiradier-<>;eneral  Smyth,  of  the  United  States  armv.  General 
Smyth  announced  his  determination  of  retrie\  iml'' the;  honour  of 
the  American  arms,  l>y  another  atlem})t  on  the  Mritisji  batteries 
and  entrenciiinents  on  the  opposite  side.  He  conceived  that 
the  former  attack  had  not  heen  comlucted  witli  judirment,  in  the 
selection  of  the  jiointof  di'JKirkation,  directly  in  the  face  of  their 
batteries,  wlicrci'.s  it  ou'jhl  to  have;  been  between  Tort  Frie  and 
Chipp(;wa.  'i'liis  In?  had  at  lirst  recommended  to  irent  ral  \'an 
Ucnss(;laer,  and  lo  the  nei^lect  of  his  intimation  he  attributed 
the  failure  of  the  former  attempt.  Haviuir  now  the  soh;  com- 
mand, and  beiiiL'' at  liberty  to  c;>.rry  into  execution  his  own  plan, 
he  set  al)out  preparinir  a  i'orce  for  the  jiurpose  ;  that  which  he 
then  had  under  his  command  heinj^  insuflicient.  As  the  most 
ctTectual  mode  to  juconiidish  this,  he  issued  a  proclamation, 
ajipealinL''  to  the  public  le-elini,''  :ui(l  |.;itriotisin  of  the  American 
peoj)le,  anil  invitinjr  volunteers  Ironi  evi'ry  jjart  of  the  country. 
J:^very  topic  whicli  could  iiilluence  the  hearts  :ind  minds  of  the 
j)eople,  was  stroniily  urj^eil:  they  were  reminded  ol  the  exploits 
of  their  ancestors  of  the  revolution  ;  of  the  little  h(Mn)iir  which 
had  thus  far  attended  the  prosecution  of  the  war;  the  recent 
failm-e,  ;uid  the  dis^^racel'ul  siivreiulcr  ai  Hull.  'I'lu-y  were 
told  that  even  the  Indians  of  the  friemlly  Six  Nations  had  oil'ered 
their  services,  but  that,  through  rc'iard  to  the  cause  of  humanity, 
he  had  refused  to  lollow  a  disgraceful  example,  hv  leltiuu  loose 
i.hc.se  barbarous  warriors  upon  tiie  inhabitants  of  Cauaila.  He 
then  addics.-ed  himself  particularly  to  the  *'  .Men  of  .^'ew-^  ork," 
appealiuii"  '•'  their  patriotism,  calliuii  on  tin  m  to  retrieve  the 
late  disaster,  and  at  tln^  same  time,  by  this  step,  secure  their 
wives  and  (diildren  Ircm  tlu;  predatory  a.nd  niiu'dcrtnis  incur- 
sions of  the  savage.  'I'his  adthcss  was  well  calculated  to  reach 
the  feelings  of  the  nu)ment,  alihoiiirh  eccentric  in  its  style,  and 
in  some  respects  re|)rehensible,  |)articidarly  in  the  rellections 
indulged  at  the  exp.ense  of  others.  Moreover,  it  was  not  dic- 
tated i)y  prudeiu'e  as  respected  himself;  for  in  the  (!vent  of  a 
tailure,  iie  would  natura.lly  he  exposed  to  ridicule,  tor  what 
would  then  be  termed  a  pompous  and  mllated  rhodomontade.  It 
was,  however,  not  without  some  ellect ;  particularly  wheti  se- 
conded by  un  animated    proclamation  from   general   Porter,  of 


m 


I 


;   M' 


■I  't 


i    1 


m 


-11 


n 


d>\ 


h^n 


1 


i: 


r^iii 

im* 

wH 

W" 

f|! 

i 

If* '', 

ll' 

11 

L. 

72 


BRACKENHIUGE'S 


Aburtive  nttcnipt  of  Gint-ral  Hiiiytli, 


ihe  New  York  militia.  About  the  27l!i  of  November,  upwards 
of  four  thousand  live  hundred  men,  consistins^  of  retruhu'S,  and 
the  vohintecrs  from  I'ennsylvania,  New  York  and  Baltimore, 
were  colU'Cted  at  HulTahie  ;  and  the  ollicers  were  actively  eu- 
frajfed  in  driHiiifr,  ecinipping  and  organizing  them  for  the  inten- 
ded enlerj)riHe. 

Seventy  boats,  and  a  number  of  scows,  were  prepared  for 
the  reception  of  the  army,  that  they  might  be  at  once  transport- 
ed to  the  ('anadiau  shore.  But,  prei)aratory  to  the  principal 
attack,  two  dctacliments,  one  under  colonel  Boerstler,  and  an- 
other under  captain  King,  received  orders  to  pass  over  before 
day  :  the  first  io  destroy  a  bridiie,  about  five  miles  below  Fort 
Erie,  and  capture  the  liiiard  stationed  there  ;  the  other  to  storm 
the  JJritish  l)atteries.  Before  they  reached  the  opposite  shore, 
the  enemy  opened  a  heavy  lire;  thelirst  detachment  landed  and 
took  some  |)risoners,  i)ut  failed  in  destroying  the  bridge.  The 
other,  uutler  CMjitain  Kin<i,  lauded  higher  up  at  the  Red  House, 
drove  the  enemy,  ami  then  advanced  to  their  batteries,  whicli 
they  stormed,  and  then  spiked  the  (rannon.  Tiieutenant  Angus, 
with  a  number  of  marines,  accidentally  separated  Irom  captain 
King,  and  no  reinfori-emenis  arriviii<f  from  the  ojijiosito  side, 
they  concluded  that  Kiiii!  and  his  party  had  been  taken  j)risoii- 
ers,  and  therefor^'  reiurned.  'J'he  party  of  King,  now  con>ist- 
ing  of  seventeen,  besides  captains  Morgan  and  Sprowj,  and 
five  other  olhcera,  was  in  full  possession  of  the  works,  whili; 
the  enemv  was  completely  dispersed.  Finding,  at  length,  thai 
they  couhl  not  expect  to  be  suj)ported,  they  resolvetl  to  .ctiirii. 
But  one  boat  could  be  found,  to  transport  them  all.  (Japtains 
tSprowl  and  Morgan  passed  over  with  the  prisoners  ;  leaving 
captain  King,  who  was  soon  after,  with  his  small  j)arty,  sui- 
rounchnl  and  taken  prisoner.  On  the  return  of  caj)tain  Sprowl, 
colonel  Winder  was  ord'?red  to  pass  over  with  about  three  hun- 
dred n  en.  He  instantly  embarked,  and  led  the  van.  His  own 
boat  wac  the  only  one  which  touched  the  opposite  shore,  the 
others  haviiiirbeen  swept  down  by  the  swiftness  of  the  current. 

From  various  causes  the  embarkation  of  the  main  body  was 
retarded  nuich  beyond  the  appointed  time,  so  that  it  was  twelve 
o'clock  in  the  day,  when  about  two  thousand  men  were  ready 
to  move.  Cieneral  'I'annehiirs  volunteers,  and  colonel  AFCUure's 
regiment,  were  drawn  Uj)  ready  for  a  second  embarkation. 
'I'lie  enemy  by  this  time  had  collected  on  the  opposite  shore, 
and  appeared  ready  to  receive  them.  The  departure  of  our 
troops  was,  in  the  most  unaccountable  manner,  delayed  until 
late  in  the  afternoon,  when  orders  were  given  to  debark.  Much 
murmuring  and  discontent  ensued  ;  which  were  in  some  mea- 


ure  sile 
It  u'as  : 
yard ;  s 
boats  M 
the  exc 
at  four 
order  a 
Nothinf 
delay,  c 
com  pan 
given  o^ 
go  into 
tion  bur 
their  an 
mained 
recrimin 
accused 
General 
had  posi 
three  tin 
ceed  lift( 
was  pro( 
tion,  froi 
out  the 
e  flee  Is  o 
seemed 
particul 
acts  of 

It  is  n 
collectin 
<Ione  in  i 
lion  of  u 
point  alo 
consideri 
and  marc 
on  foot, 
country 
upper  pr 
troops  of 
which  ni 
rence,  ai 
Montrf 
Hull  pr( 
was  not 
occurrc(1 


:i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


78 


iipwartls 
l;irs,  and 
lUimore, 
vely  e li- 
ne inlen- 

inred  for 
rans  port- 
principal 
,  and  an- 
er  before 
low  Fort 
to  storm 
iie  shore, 
iiided  and 
Lre.     The 
:d  House, 
PS,  whicli 
nt  An<,nis, 
m  captain 
isite  side, 
(■11  pris(ni- 
w  fon>if:t- 
lowl,  and 
rks,  while 
n«^th,  lh:il 
to  .c'tnrn. 
(,'aptains 
;  leavine^ 
irty,  snr- 
i  S prowl, 
liree  hun- 
His  own 
shore,  the 
le  current, 
body  was 
vas  twelve 
ere  ready 
M'CUure'H 
jarkalion. 
site  shore, 
ure  of  our 
yed    until 
i.      Much 
ome  mea- 


Almrtivo  atti'iiipt  of  (Ji'iicriil  Smyth. 


.  Niirtlifrn  Ariiiv, 


ure  silenced,  by  assurances  that  anotlier  attempt  would  be  made. 
It  u'as  now  resolved  to  land  about  five  miles  below  the  navy 
yard  ;  and  accordingly,  on  Monday  evening,  the  29th,  all  the 
boats  were  collected  for  the  purpose.     The  whole  body,  with 
the  exception  of  about   two   hundred    men,    were  embarked 
at  four  o'clock  ;   the  men  conducting  themselves   witii  great 
order  and   obedience,   and  aiVording  every  hope  of  success. 
Nothing  was  wanting  but  the  word  to  move  ;  when,  after  some 
delay,  orders  were  suddenly  given  for  the  whole  to  land,  ac- 
companied with  a  declaration,  ihat  the  invasion  of  Canada  was 
given  over  for  that  season,  while  arrangements  were  made   to 
go  into  winter  quarters.     One  universal  expression  of  indigna- 
tion burst  forth  ;  tlie  greater   part  of  the   militia   threw  down 
their  arms,  and  returned   to  their  homes,  and   those  who  re- 
mained continually  threatened  the  life  of  the  general.     Severe 
recriminations  passed  between  him   and    general   1  wrter,  who 
accused  him  of  cowardice   and   of  nnofbcer-like   deportment. 
General  Smyth,  in  vindication  of  his  conduct,  alleged  that  he 
had  positive  instructions  not  to  risk  an  invasion  with  less  than 
three  thousand  men,  and  thattiie  number  embarked  did  not  ex- 
ceed liftccn  hundred.      He  this  as  it  may,  great  dissatisfaction 
was  produced  through   the  country,  and   his  military  reputa- 
tion, from   that  time,  declined  in  jjublic  estimation.     Through- 
out the  whole  of  this  year,  we  v.ere    onlinually  suflering  the 
eflects  of  our  total  want  of  experience  in  war.     Every  thing 
seemed  to  balUe  our  calculations,  and  to  disappoint  our  hopes, 
particularly  m  our  movements  against  (Canada,  although  many 
acts  of  gallantry  were  performed  both  by  regulars  and  militia. 
It  is  now  time  to  turn  our  attention   to  the  Northern  Army, 
collecting  on  the  borders  of  the  St  Lawrence.     But  little  was 
(lone  in  this  quarter,  until  late  in  the  autumn.     At  the  declara- 
tion of  war,  but  a  small  nu;nbcr  of  troops  were  stationed  at  any 
point  along  this   frontier:   and   it  would   necessarily  recjuire  a 
considerable  length  of  time  before  the  militia  could  be  embodied 
and  marched,  t)r  the  regular  troops,  newly  enlisted  or  already 
on  foot,  could  be  collected   from  over  an   immense  surface  of 
country  such   as  ours.     It  was  confiilently  expected   that  the 
upper  i)rovinces  of  (Janada  would  fall  an  easy  comiuest  to  our 
troops  of  the  Northwestern  Army,  andof  the  Army  of  the  Centre, 
which  might  then  move  down,  and  join  those  on  the  St  Law- 
rence, and,  long  before  the  winter,  the  war  would  be  carried  to 
Montreal.     But  the  unlooked-for  and  lamentable  surrender  of 
Hull  produced  a  total  change   in   the  situation  of  affairs.     It 
was  not  until  late  in  the  autumn,  that  any  thing  worthy  of  note 
occurred  in  the  Northern  Army. 

G 


■•I 


74 


brackEx\rii)(;e's 


Northern  Armv Inciirsinn  oC  r(irs\  th — orrnliwicl  Pik*-. 


On  the  15tli  of 


■i" 


>n  the  15tli  of  September,  twenly-fiev  harjjes  of  tlic  IJriiish 
passed  up  tljo  Si  Lawrence,  and  were  attacked  by  a  party  of 
militia  from  Oi^denshurg,  and  after  a  severe  contest,  the  enemy 
were  forced  to  abandon  tlieir  boats,  and  lly  for  shelter  to  the 
woods  ;  but  soon  after,  receiving  reinforcements,  they  compelled 
the  militia  lo  retire.  Some  time  after  this,  captain  Forsyth  made 
an  incursion  into  the  enemy's  country,  with  a  party  of  his  rifle- 
men, and  after  twice  defeating  a  bocly  of  regidars  of  superior 
numbers,  luirnl  a  block-house,  containing  the  publi<'  stores, 
and  returned  with  the  loss  of  oidy  one  man.  In  revenge  for 
that  attack,  the  I'ritish,  on  the  '-.Id  <if  October,  determined 
to  attempt  the  destruction  of  Ogdensburg.  A  heavy  lire  was 
opened  from  the  l)reast-works,  at  the  village  of  l*rescott,  situa- 
ted nearly  opjiosile.  On  the  -lili,  they  attemiUed  to  cross 
the  St  Lawrence,  and  storm  the  town,  end  emiiarked  in  forty 
boats,  with  about  lifteen  men  in  each  ;  but  tliey  were  warmly 
received  by  general  l*»rown,  of  the  New  York  militia,  who 
romnianded  here  in  person.  A  sharp  action  continued  for 
nearly  two  hours,  when  they  were  compelled  to  abandon  their 
design,  leaving  one  of  the  boats  in  our  hands,  and  sull'eriiig  a 
considerable  loss. 

Colonel  Pike,  to  whose  zeal  and  indefatigable  exertions, 
the  army  was  even  at  this  time  ntuch  indebted,  on  the  IDlh 
passed  into  the  enemy's  territory,  surprised  a  biock-house  de- 
fended !))•  a  considerable  body  of  I'liulish  and  Indians,  put  them 
to  flight,  and  destroyed  the  pul)lic  stores.  Skirmishes  like 
these  were  not  unfrequent  until  the  close  of  autumn,  vnd  i\(u 
occurred  during  the  winter;  but  nothing  of  monuMU  lraii'<pire(l 
in  this  (piarier,  until  the  beginning  of  the  year. 

A  new  scene  of  warfare  was  about  to  open,  up(Mi  tliose  vnr-t 
inland  seas,  which  I'onstitute  so  remarkililo  a  feature  (tf  our 
continent.  For  the  first  time,  their  wave-;  were  to  be  lighted 
up  with  all  the  sublimity  of  naval  combat:  aiul  they  soon  bore 
witness  to  achievements  as  glorious  as  those  which  immortaliz- 
ed our  heroes  on  the  ocean.  Li  consecpience  of  the  faihire  of 
our  arms  at  Detroit,  it  became  necessary  to  form  a  navy  on  the 
lakes.  Wc  were  now  without  a  single  armed  vessel  on  Lake 
Erie,  and  our  whole  force  on  Lake  Ontario  was  the  brig  Oneida, 
sixteen  guns,  commanded  by  lieutenant  Woolsey.  Li  October, 
comiuodore  (vhauncoy,  with  a  body  of  seamen,  arrived  at  Sack- 
clt's  Harbour,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  this  design  into  efleet ; 
he  instantly  purchased  every  trader  capable  of  being  fitted  up 
as  a  vessel  of  war,  and  ordered  lieutenant  Elliot,  as  we  have 
seen,  to  organize  a  naval  force  on  Lake  Erie.  'J'hat  his  pre- 
parations proceeded  with  ra])idity,cannot  be  doubted,  when  we 


War  < 

lind,  tlia 
contend 
nuition  t 
purp<^se 
lerinineil 
'I'he  fore 
of  time, 
lie  sailed 
the  (I'row 
ant  Elht) 
Julia,  'J'l 
guns.      'J 
have  j'.as 
the  Hrilis 
ship  Ear 
eii^hleen 
I'ourtien 
On  the 

lost  sjirjit 

bay  of  Q 
sion  ch.ui 
her ;  Imt 
too  w  ell 
intention 
commeiu' 
botii  fron 
Julia,  the 
aflerwari! 
kius  ;  sill 
uj)i)ii  the 
when  the 
hay.     'J'l 
batteries, 
George,  I 
'J'his  was 
of  it,  mei 
in  her  hu 
while  the 
able.     'I'l 
the  bursti 
knocked 
a  schoone 
past    the 
Oeorge,  1 
for  Saeke 


HISTORY  OF  thf:  war. 


76 


IJriiish 
party  of 
i  rnemy 

•  to  the 
impelled 

th  made 
his  rille- 
superior 

•  stores, 
piiL^o  lor 
orminctl 
lire  wns 
tt,  sitiia- 
to   cross 

in  l"i)riy 
warmly 
tin,  who 
luird  lor 
Ion  thrir 
llVring  a 

xrrliiMis, 
llio  lUlh 
loiiso  (Ic- 
pnt  them 
\n'<   like- 

;'!!(!  (Vf  u 

•aii'^pircd 

lose  va5-t 
re  lit'  our 
liirhleil 
oon  hore 
mortaliz- 
laihire  of 
vv  on  the 

on  Lake 
r  Oneida, 

October, 

at  Sack- 
to  edect ; 

fitted  up 
we  have 

his  prc- 
\vhen  we 


Wiir  i>n  \\n-  l.ak'-: 


.  I'irst  ( 'iiiiM,'  III' Ci  nil  rill  nil  iri'  ('li;iiiiii  rv  . 


lind,  tliat  on  the  Gi!i  of  Xovemher  he  considered  himself  ahle  to 
contenil  with  the  enemv'.s  whole  force.  ll;ivin"j  reroivcdinfor- 
mation  that  t!ie  enemy's  lleet  had  sailed  down  the  lake,  for  the 
purpose  ol  hrini^iu!!  up  niuforcenuMils  to  Fort  (ieorge,  he  de- 
termined to  intercept  him  at  the  False  Ducks,  on  his  way  up. 
'I'he  h)rce  of  commodore  OJiauncey,  created  in  this  short  space 
ot  time,  was  comp<tst'd  of  the  Oneida,  fourleea  j;uns,  in  which 
he  sailed  :  the  (Jovernor  'l'onij)kins,  lieutenant  IJrown,  six  puns  ; 
the  (irowler,  lieutenant  Mix,  of  live  guns  ;  the  (Conquest,  lieuten- 
ant L'llliot,  of  two  uniis  ;  the  I'ert,  Arundel,  of  two  lhuis  ;  and  the 
Julia,  'J'rmit,  of  one  tliirty  pounder;  making  in  all  thirty-two 
guns.  'J"hu  vcs>els  of  tlic  enen)y,  which  were  supposeil  to 
have  j.as.->ed  up  the  hikes,  consiituted  nearly  the  whole  force  of 
the  15ri!i.>-li.  :md  consisted  of  the  Royal  ( Jeori;;e,  twenty-six  guns  ; 
ship  Earl  Moira,  eiiihieen  iruus  ;  schooner  I'rince  Regent, 
ei'^liteen  gun>  ;  Duke  of  Oloucesicr,  fourteen  guns;  'roreulo, 
fourtieu  i:i;iis  ;  Oovernor  Simcoe,  twelve  guns. 

On  th(!  &ih,  the  sijuadron  fell  in  with  the  Royal  fieorge,  but 
lost  sIl^IiI  of  lier  durini:  the  night,  ha\  ing  chased  her  into  the 
hay  of  l^uanti.  In  the  morning  slu'  was  discovered  in  King- 
ston channel.  TIk;  commodore  had  made  up  his  mind  to  board 
her;  Itut  the  v.ind  blowing  ilirectly  in,  and  tin;  enemy  being 
too  well  proii  ctcd  by  the  iruns  of  the  batteries,  he  changed  his 
intention.  'I'he  ne.\t  morning  he  beat  up  in  good  order,  and 
cominenced  an  attack  on  tlu;  Royal  (leorge,  under  a  heavy  lire 
both  from  this  shij)aiid  from  tht;  baiieries.  'i'he  (Jomiuest,  the 
Julia,  the  I'ert,  and  the  (Jrowler  jxiished  forward  in  succession; 
afterwards  the  l)ri<2  General  Ilamillon,  and  the  CJovenior  Tomp- 
kins ;  shortly  after,  the  whole  lire  of  the  batteries  was  turned 
Uj)on  the  brig,  and  continued  hot  on  both  sides  for  an  hour, 
when  the  Roval  (Jeorge  cut  her  cables,  and  ran  higher  up  the 
bay.  The  sijuadron  Ijeing  now  exposed  to  the  cross  lire  of  the 
batteries,  aiul  not  deemintr  it  prudent  to  pursue  the  Royal 
George,  hauled  olf  to  the  wind,  and  made  sail  out  of  the  bay. 
'J'his  was  certainly  a  most  daring  exploit,  and,  to  say  the  least 
of  it,  meriteil  suceess.  'J'he  lioyal  (ieorge  sullered  severely 
in  her  hull;  the  sliot  from  the  gun-vessels  struck  her  frequently, 
while  the  loss  of  commodore  Chauiu'cy  was  very  inconsider- 
able. 'I'lic  commander  of  the  Pert,  Arundel,  was  wounded  by 
the  bursting  of  a  «;un,  but  refusing  to  (piit  the  deck,  was 
knocked  ovcrboanl  and  drowned.  The  commodore  captured 
a  schooner  otV  the  harbour,  and  sent  the  Growler  as  her  convoy 
past  the  entrance,  for  the  purpose  of  decoying  the  Royal 
George,  but  without  success.  Slie  then  sailed  with  her  prize 
for  Sackett's  Harbour.     On  her  wav  she  discovered  the  Prince 


'  i   Wi 


mi 


76 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


]n 


Wiir  (111  till'  LakrH Firnt  I  riiisc  ot'ConiiiKKldri'  ("li;imir<-y. 

Regent  aiull'^arl  Moira,  couvoyin*)  a  sloop  to  Kingston;  she  im- 
mediately concealed  herself  behind  a  point,  and  when  the  armed 
vessels  had  passed,  she  ran  out  and  captured  the  schooner  and 
brought  her  into  Sackett's  Harbour.  'V\ui  prize  had  on  board 
twelve  thousand  dollars  in  specie,  and  the  baggage  of  gen- 
eral Brock,  with  captain  Brock,  the  brother  of  that  ofTicor. 
Commodore  Chauncey,  soon  after  arriving,  received  the  intelli- 
gence respecting  the  Earl  Moira,  and  immediately  set  oil'  in 
the  midst  of  a  severe  storm,  to  intercept  her  at  the  False  Ducks  ; 
but  returned  to  the  Harbour  without  being  able  to  fall  in  with 
I.er. 

He  now  occupied  hiui  ■  ciii'fly  in  superintending  the  new 
sliip  Madison,  which  was  uic  if  I  on  the  2C)lh  of  November. 
The  wint(;r  set  in  soon  afior,  and  >  t  an  end  to  any  further 
naval  incidents  for  the  season. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Meeting  of  Congress — Proposal  for  an  Arniistire— Reverses  of  Napoleon — Measures 
for  carrying  on  the  War — Hlorkaile  of  our  Coasts — War  with  the  Southern  Indians 
— Tecumseh's  Visit  to  ttie  Cn-cks — War  with  tlie  Scminoles — Thinl  Naval  Victory 
over  a  Urilish  Frigate  (the  Java;— Disasters  of  our  Arms  to  the  West. 

The  congress  of  the  United  States  again  assembled  on  the 
4th  of  November,  after  a  recess  unusually  short,  on  account 
of  the  new  and  interesting  state  of  our  alfairs.  l*arty  spirit 
unfortunately  raged  amongst  us,  in  a  very  high  degree,  and  it 
was  not  diflicult  to  foretell  that  no  small  portion  would  lind 
its  way  into  the  national  councils.  Recriminations  of  French 
influence,  and  improper  submission  to  the  outrages  of  Great 
Britain,  very  much  embittered  this  animosity.  'J'he  existence 
of  party  spirit  is  necessary  and  healthful  to  our  political  sys- 
tem; it  is  like  the  current  of  the  stream,  which  preserves  it  pure 
and  untainted.  In  despotisms  there  is  no  party  spirit ;  there 
all  is  conducted  in  the  darkness  and  secrecy  of  intrigue.  But 
party  has  its  evils.  In  peace,  it  renovates  the  flagging  energies 
of  the  nation,  and  keeps  all  things  pure  and  sound;  on  the  con- 
trary, in  a  period  of  war,  this  animosity  may  clog  theeflbrtsof 
the  party  in  power,  and   may  be   a  useful  ally  to  the  enemy. 


I'nforu 
measur 
sue  for 
enemy 
such  a."- 
a  true  I 
which 
graced, 
hands. 
(Ill   this 
exact  li 
concciv 
the  chai 
the  opp 
'J'he 
wissh  io 
wiih   pi^ 
this  cou 
council, 
was  by  i 
and  to 
Great  I 
entitled 
pealeil  ( 
part,  sh( 
now  at  \ 
ties,  un\i 
dilleieiic 
pending 
passed  \\ 
seis,  of  V 
(he  sessi 
fShortl 
for  an  ai 
but  was 
isier  in  I 
(ihlies,  (; 
prcssmei 
was  rejei 
Warren ; 
tiiat  our 
orders  tc 
sequence 
came  us 

G 


i^i 


IIISTOUY  OF  'I  III:   WAIl. 


HtV. 


;  she  iin- 
lie  armed 
)ner  and 
)ii  board 
of  gcii- 
t  ofTiocr. 
le  iiitelli- 
et  oir  in 
3  Ducks; 
1  in  with 

tlie  new 
ovcmhcr. 
V  I'lirllier 


I) 


irrii   liuliati'i 
aval  Victory 


d  on  the 

account 

ty  t^pirit 

c,  and  it 

nUI  lind 

I'rencli 

ol'  Great 

existence 

ical  sys- 

es  it  pure 

it ;  there 

le.      But 

energies 

the  cou- 

efforts  of 

■3  enemv. 


Mfcfinir  "H  'oimr 


, IVoiiiwiil  (ii'aii  .\riiiii«lii  r 


IJnforluiiatcly  there  prevailed  a  stronir  disposition  to  thwart  the 
niea>ures  t)l"  the  achuiuistration,  an'!  in  this  way  coiujxl  it  to 
sue  tor  peace,  without  perhaps  sulhcientiy  redecting,  that  the 
t-neiny  niif^ht  not  he  disposed  to  tyrant  it,  upon  other  terms  than 
such  as  wt)uld  he  (hsirraceful  to  the  nation.  It  is  not  becoming 
a  true  h)ver  ot  his  t'ountry,  to  desire  that  the  govcrnnK-nt,  witli 
wliich  tiie  nation,  as  respects  others,  is  idenlilied,  shouhi  be  dis- 
graced, in  order  that  the  power  may  be  transferred  to  better 
hunds.  'I'itis  woidd  not  be  the  maxim  of  Washington.  Hut 
on  this  sultjccl  it  is  ihllicuU,  if  not  impossible,  to  draw  the 
exact  line  between  a  manly  and  laudable  oj)posilion  to  what  we 
conceive  to  be  wrong,  and  such  intemperance  as  may  endanger 
the  character  and  sid'eiy  of  the  country.  In  the  eastern  slates, 
the  opposition  to  the  war  was  tiie  most  violent. 

'J"he  ailmini.sti'ation.  socm  after  the  war,  had  manifested  a 
wish  for  the  restoration  of  j)eace,  could  it  bo  done  con-sisleialy 
with  prudence.  About  the  time  of  the  de(daration  of  war  in 
this  country,  the  I'rince  Regent  had  repealed  his  orders  in 
council,  one  of  the;  principal  causes  of  hostilities  :  an  act,  which 
was  by  no  means  dictated  by  a  sense  of  what  was  due  to  justice 
and  to  us,  but  by  the  urgency  of  tin;  particular  interests  of 
Great  Britain.  Having  re()ealed  theuj,  he  considered  himsel- 
entilleil  to  liie  same  regard  as  if  they  had  been  expressly  re- 
pealed on  our  account,  anil  demamled  that  hostilities,  on  our 
part,  slujidd  cease.  To  this  the  l'rt;sident  replieil,  that  being 
now  at  war,  the  I'liited  States  would  not  put  an  end  to  hostili- 
ties, ujdoss  provisi(m  were  made  for  a  general  settlement  of 
dill'erences,  and  a  cessation  of  tiu;  practie<;  of  impressment, 
pending  thi;  iicL^otialion.  In  the  meantime,  a  law  would  be 
passed  I'orbiddmg  the  employment  of  British  seamen  in  our  ves- 
sels, of  whatsoever  kiiul.  A  law  to  this  eil'ect  was  passed  during 
'he  sessi(jn. 

Shortly  after  the  commencemiMit  of  the  war,  a  proposition 
for  an  armistice  had  bien  made  by  the  governor  of  ('anada, 
tiiit  was  rejecteil  as  a  matter  of  c»)urbe.  The  American  min- 
ister in  JiOnilon  was  au'Ji«)rised  to  agree  to  a  cessation  of  hos- 
tilities, even  on  the  unollicial  assurance  that  the  practice  of  im- 
pressment woulil  be  dis  -ontinued,  during  the  armistice.  'I'his 
was  rejei-tetl.  A  proposition  was  afterwards  made  by  admiral 
Warren;  which  reip.ured  as  a  preliminary  to  every  other  step, 
that  our  armies  .should  be  immediately  withdrawn,  and  the 
orders  to  our  cruisers  recalled.  This  he  alleged,  was  in  con- 
sequence of  our  being  the  aggressors,  and  that  as  such  it  be- 
came us  to  take  the  first  step,  and  unconditionally  throw  down 


f-    I 


■:  H, 


m 


^l..i 

m 


78 


nUACKENRIDGE'S 


Reverat'H  of  Na|H)lfun. 


'I 


our  arms.  Here  it  niijrlit  have  been  asked,  whether  tliis  country 
had  ever  experienced  so  niucli  good  iaith  and  forbearance  from 
Great  Britain,  as  to  justify  such  confidence  .'  But  was  slic 
not  the  apfrressor,  by  her  own  acknowledgement?  for,  by  the 
repeal  of  ilie  orders  in  council,  if  on  our  account,  she  acknow- 
ledged herself  to  have  violated  our  neutral  rights.  Moreover, 
it  was  well  known  lliat  she  had,  at  that  moment,  more  than 
two  thousand  impressed  American  seamen,  contined  as  prisoners 
of  war;  and  persisted  in  refusing  every  arrangement  which 
might  remedy  in  future  the  odious  j)racticc.  ISo  strangely  in- 
consistent are  the  pretexts  of  injustice.  These  atlen>pts  at 
reconciliation  had  iailed,  when  the  emperor  of  Russia  inter- 
posed his  mediation  :  which,  on  the  part  of  our  government, 
was  instantly  accepted;  but,  on  being  made  known  to  llngland, 
was  declined,  as  being  incompatible  with  her  naval  interests. 
She  professed  a  willingness,  iiowever,  to  enter  into  a  direct 
negotiation;  which,  it  will  be  seen,  was  merely  thrown  out  as 
a  pretext,  to  prolong  the  war  at  her  pleasure. 

A  most  important  change  had  taken  ])iace  in  the  ad'airs  of 
Europe.  Napoleon  had  experienced  a  r(!verse,  proportioned  to 
the  vastness  of  his  designs.  'J'his  man,  inloxi(;ated  with  his  for- 
mer success,  and  with  tl»e  vile  llaltery  which  is  always  j)aiil  to  the 
despot  who  is  the  I'ountain  of  honour,  and  oHii-ial  emolument  and 
power,  had  begun  to  think  himself  more  than  mortal.  It  is 
thought  that  he  had  conceived  the  idea  of  universal  empire  ;  natu- 
rally enough  the  ultimate  object  of  a  concjueror — for  what  con- 
queror ever  set  bounds  to  his  ambition  t  'J'he  vanity  of  the 
scliemc,  if  any  such  ever  entered  his  head,  of  briniring  ail  iMiropt* 
to  his  feet,  of  mastering  the  lleet  of  England,  and  then  cxicnilmg 
his  power  over  the  globe,  was  now  fully  dcujonstrated.  Tiie  joy 
whicli  many  of  our  fellow  citizens  ex|)resj:etl  on  this  occasion, 
was  perhaps  ill  judged.  'I'he  fall  of  a  despot  and  a  tyrant,  is  cer- 
tainly an  agreeable  theme  to  a  repui)lican ;  but  the  immediate 
connexion  of  this  event  with  our  welfare,  was  not  easily  traced. 
It  was  very  evident  that  the  enmity  both  of  France  and  England 
towards  this  country,  proceeded  from  the  same  cause;  and, 
considering  lunnan  nature,  a  very  natural  cause  ;  to  wit,  the 
circumstance  of  our  prospering  and  growing  rich  from  their 
dissensions.  We  had  but  little  to  fear  that  we  should  be 
molested  bv  any  European  power,  attempting  to  conquer  our 
vast  country;  and  as  to  universal  dijminion,  England,  in  her 
claim  to  the  sovereignty  of  the  seas,  already  possessed  it,  as 
far  as  the  thing,  in  its  nature,  was  capable  of  being  possessed. 
As  to  Europe,  the  mad  attempt  of  Napoleon  had  been  followed 
by  an  overthrow  so  complete  ;  that  so  lar  from  being  dangerous 


1 


country 
ice  IVoin 

kV:iM    bllC 

,  liy  the 
ickiiow- 
orc'ovcr, 
)rc  than 
risonrrtj 
I  which 
ifrcly  in- 
'inpts  at 
ia  iiiter- 
'iiMnciit, 
Inglaml, 
nte rests, 
a  direct 
n  uut  as 

I  (lairs  ol 
ictiitd  Id 
1  his  I'or- 
litl  lo  the 
iH'iit  and 
It  is 
c;  iialii- 
lal  con- 
s' ol'  the 
iMirope 
acnthnu 
I'hc  joy 
cc;i.<i(m, 
I,  is  ecr- 
iiu'diati; 
■  traced. 
Ciif^land 
e;  and, 
vit,  the 
in  their 
uiild   he 
iier  our 
HI  Iter 
d  it,  as 
sessed. 
Uowed 
ii,a'rous 


iiisTouY  or  Till:  war. 


79 


Mr.'isiirr-'  fur  rnrr\  inu  on  I  he  \>'iir lilm  kiiilr  Dl'iiur  rmiNU. 


to  its  rcp().sc  in  fiituro,  it  becanin  a  niati«'r  of  douhi  with  cnli^fhi- 
ened  j)oliticians  of  the  (hiy,  whelht-r  he  woidil  he  able  to  maintain 
his  oun  ground,  and  whether,  if  I'rance  were  rechieed  to  a  se- 
cond rate  |)()wer,  Europe  woidd  not  have  to  fear  a  more  for- 
midable enemy  in  Russia.  Nothintr  but  the  j)acilic  temper  of 
its  present  sovereign,  would  be  a  guarantee  to  the  safety  of  the 
neighbouring  nations.  'Die  conseciuence  of  the  rapitl  decline 
of  the  power  of  Napoh'on,  'v,,uid  l)e  highly  i'avourable  to  I'^ng- 
land,  in  the  disposal  of  her  I'orces  against  this  country  ;  and 
elated  by  her  success  against  France,  it  was  not  |)robal)le  that 
she  woidd  feel  much  disposition  lo  treat  wKh  us  on  reasonable 
terms. 

'J'he  first  business,  on  the  meeting  of  congress,  with  a  view 
to  the  war,  which  now  occuj)ieil  its  chief  aiieniion,  was  the 
providing  an  additional  force.  Enlistments  had  been  extremely 
slow,  and  sullicient  encouragement  had  not  been  hehl  out  for 
recruits.  It  was  j)roposed  to  receive  into  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  twenty  thousand  vohmieers,  for  a  year,  to  be 
clothed  and  |)aid  in  the  same  manner  as  regular  troops.  'I'he 
inelUcaey  of  mere  militia,  under  no  discipline,  and  under  no 
control,  had  been  sulliciently  seen,  both  during  the  present  and 
the  revolutionary  war.  Hut  there  was  no  mode  ot"  remedying 
the  evil;  lor  regular  soldiers  could  not  be  raised,  or  at  least,  in 
sullicient  numbers. 

'J'he  navy  attracted  much  attention.  On  this  subject  there 
j)revail(!d  the  most  perfect  unanimity;  and  it  was  resolved,  that 
it  shoidd  be  fostered,  as  the  best  and  safest  reliance  of  our 
country.  Such  as  Inul  once  been  inimical  to  it,  became  its 
warmest  friends.  The  national  legislature  now  engaged  with 
great  assiduity,  in  devising  such  UK'asures  as  were  necessary, 
for  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war,  and  as  would  tend  to 
ronietly  the  e\  ils  alreaily  experienced. 

'J'he  seaboard,  although  sometimes  threatened  by  the  enemy, 
had  not  yet  experienced  any  serious  mole&iaiioii.  In  the  month 
ol'  December,  the  whole  coast  was  proclaimed  in  a  state  of 
blockade,  but  with  no  force  actually  ap|  lieil.  'J'his  paj)er 
blockade  had  no  j)retcnce  of  retaliation,  like  that  declared  against 
the  ct)ast  of  France  ;  and  the  United  Slates  diil  not  choose  to  fol- 
low an  exami)lo  so  contrary  to  the  laws  of  nations,  and  in  turn 
declare  the  coast  of  ^]ll^land  in  a  state  el  blockade,  and  under 
that  pretence  interrupt  llu>  commerce  ol  neutrals  going  to  lu  r 
ports.  'I'he  British  vessels  were  chitlly  employed  in  the  pro- 
tection of  her  commerce  against  our  cruisers;  and  her  attention 
was  so  much  taken  up  with  the  mighty  alTairs  which  were  then 
passing  on  the  'ontinent,  that  we  fortunately  remained,  during 


r', 


' 


•\ 


*■  'A 


I 

-  f 


■»»tii 


^is'Ti  ni 


1 


i.' 


I  -^^^ 


;  -J 


k 


8U 


TmACKIlMiirKJlVS 


VVnr  with  tin-  SitullM'rii  IihIIiuih. 


this  Hcusoii,  iintnoleatt'd ;  nt  leui^t  our  hutneii  und  our  tlresides 
\vrr«;  not  tlisttahnl. 

A  \v:ir,  liouTNcr,  llin'atcrutd  uh  in  aiiollicr  nuarler,  to  wliicli 
M'c  now  looked  will)  no  KUiall  anxiety.  'I'lie  .soulliert:  Indiana, 
C(|ually  lerocioiis  in  tlieir  modes  ol  warfare,  and  |ierlia|)s  more 
darin'f  titan  llie  norlliern,  Ixjian  to  t'.\liilMt  ^ijins  ol  liosiditv. 
No  pcoplu  had  c\rr  less  cause  to  complain.  The  ('reeks 
within  the  territorial  limits  ol'  the  I  nited  States,  had  Ixeii  nni- 
forndv  proleeicd  hv  the  Americans;  inlriiders  upon  their  lamU 
were  turned  oil"  at  the  point  ol  the  hayonet;  immense  sums 
wen'  expended  in  teaeliinii  them  the  arts  of  eivili/e'd  lile ; 
persons  were  employrd  to  reside  amoni;  t!iem,  lor  that  pur- 
pose, and  implements  of  auriculture  were  furnished  at  the 
|)uhli(r  ex[)ense.  This  iiumane  sysie'm,  commenced  hy  Wash- 
iiij^ton,  was  strictly  pursued  hy  suhsetpient  administrations; 
ami  the  (dl'ects  were  visihie  in  the  course  of  a  few  years. 
'I'heir  country  and  idimate,  probahly  the  best  in  the  United 
Slates,  were  capahle  of  all'orilini.'  every  tiling  essential  to  their 
happiness.  'l\\v.  domestic  art^  had  taken  root  annnijrst  ihem  ; 
thai  strouij  stimulant  to  indusir)  ,  sejiarate  |)roperly  on  tin;  soil, 
was  heginnin<r  to  he  understood  ;  they  j)«>ssessed  nunutrous 
licrds,  ami  all  the  domestic  aniiiials  ;  their  situation  was,  in 
every  resj)ect,  equal  to  that  of  the  peasants  in  many  parts  iA 
Europe.  'J'hey  hatl  thrown  oil'  their  dothius:  of  skins,  and 
wore  colUms  of  their  own  manufacture;  and  their  population 
was  ranidiv  iiu*reasin<;.  'i'hev  had  always  lived  on  terms  of 
friendship  with  the  linited  States;  their  lands  had  never  l»cen 
encroached  upon;  and  they  had  hei'onu'  c((iisiderahly  intermin- 
jrled,  by  marriages,  with  the  whites.  Aci'ording  to  t)ne  of  their 
laws,  no  w  hile  uum,  except  ihe  Intlian  agent,  was  permitted  to 
reside  in  their  l(>rritory,  unless  mtirried  to  a  native. 

'I'he  heiu'vulent  societies  of  the  I  uiteil  States,  had  opened 
schools  through  the  country,  for  the  pur|)ose  of  giving  the  linish 
to  this  stale  of  manners;  I'or  in  every  other  respect  they 
had  entirely  throw  n  oil"  their  savage  habits.  Nearly  the  same 
state    of  improvement  existed    anioiiirst    the  other    tribes,    ihe 


hoclaus, 


CI 


lU'Uasaws, 


and   Cherokee 


'J'l 


u'  same   re'nilar 


industry  was  visible  in  the  villages  of  these  people,  in  their 
daily  occuj)ations,  in  their  cultivation  of  iIm;  soil,  in  their  atien- 
tion  to  their  lauds,  and  even  in  the  construction  of  their  dwell- 
ings, which,  in  many  cases,  were  built  by  white  carpenters 
employed  for  the  purpose,  and  were  little  inferior  to  those  of 
the  generality  of  white  settlers. 

T«)  seduce  these  people  into  a  war,  would  be  an  act  of  cru- 
elty to  them  ;  and  hostilities  on  their  part  would  be  the  extreme 


HISTORY  OF  Tin:  WAR. 


81 


'I'miiiiNcli'ii  \l«it  III  llii'  rrt'rk". 


lluL'U- 


of  folly.  For  :illlioiii>li,  if  united,  llirir  imiiili*  r  w oiiM  Im-  lliii<'0 
lh:it  of  tlio  iiorlJH'rii  liidiiins,  yet  Ixiiii;  coinplctcU  s.ii-rouiKlcd 
by  wliiu.'  scitltMnciils,  ilinr  lirstriii'iion  imi.>»l  !)<■  incviialdc.  The 
United  Slates  a^eiit,  colonel  lliiwUiiis,  an  etdi^'litencd  man, 
had  devoted  his  life  to  the  civili/alion  ol' these  nnlortnnate  peo- 
ple, and  had  acfjniri'd  a  consideiahle  asceiidtiify  over  thent. 
IJul,  anionif  iheni,  there  was  a  \.\r<jv  |iropi)riiMn  ol  iht;  idle  and 
lh(!  worthless,  who  had  not  aetpiired  any  property,  ami  who 
wcru  inclined  to  return  to  the  old  state  oi'  savaije  manners,  us 
more  lavniirahh;  to  their  loose,  \inresir:iined  propcii.^iiH  s,  than 
the  hahits  neu  ly  introduced,  \\  liiili  the\  prcli  iided  to  ilespise. 
Dniinjr  the  summer,  while  war  ra^ed  on  the  northern  fronlier, 
the  dis<(rderly  ('reeks  he<fan  to  show  much  imeasiness;  they 
('(vllected  in  small  hands,  roamed  aliout  the  country,  efunmilled 
de|)redations  on  the  pro|)erly  ol  the  well-ordered  class,  and 
olien  upon  the  whiles.  Shortly  alter  the  surrender  ot"  Null, 
this  disposition  hroke  out  into  open  violence.  A  pariy  (»f  thesR 
vagabond  Muscogees  lell  upon  some  people,  who  wcuc  descend- 
inir  the  .Mississippi,  and  nmrdercd  them  near  the  mouth  of  the 
(Jliio.  The  atlair  was  represented  to  the'  nalion,  who  causeil 
tiie  perpetrators  to  bo  seized  and  put  to  death.  A  civil  war, 
soon  alter,  was  the  conscjqnence,  in  which  the  savage  j)arf,  as 
mif^ht  be  exjx'cted,  |)revaile(l  ;  and  the  srrealer  mimber  of  those 
who  had  been  iViendly  to  the  IniUHl  Stales,  were  either  oblij^rtd 
to  lly,  or  to  join  their  standard. 

Other  causes  contributed  to  brinf^  about  this  ruinous  state  of 
things.  The  celebrated  chief,  Tecumseh,  had,  the  \v:\r  bef(»re, 
visited  all  the  soulhern  tribes,  for  the  purpose  of  kindling  a 
spirit  unlriendly  to  the  Iniled  Slates.  This  sa\ag(!  Demos- 
thenes, wherever  he  went,  called  councils  of  their  tribes,  and 
with  that  bold  and  commanding  eloi|uen».'e,  which  he  jiosscssed 
in  a  degree  infiiiilely  suj)erior  to  what  haclcvir  been  witnessed 
amongst  these;  people,  exhausted  every  topic  calculated  to  ope- 
rate on  their  minds,  and  alienate  their  all'cclions  frcnn  their 
benefactors.  Among  all  these  nations  his  speeches  had  great 
efleet,  but  with  the  Creeps  paiticularly,  alihough  the  more 
considerate  rejected  his  inlerferiMice.  Amid  the  usual  toj)ics 
of  his  discourses,  he  was  in  i'm'  habit  of  reproaching  them  with 
their  civilization  ;  and  in  the  keenest  and  most  sarcastic  manner 
contrasted  their  degenerate  elVeminacy,  with  every  thing  that 
was  great  and  noble  in  the  opinion  of  Indians.  Deniosihenes, 
in  his  reproaches  of  ills  countrymen,  was  not  more  lerriblv  velu;- 
ment  and  audacious.  Against  the  linited  States,  he  pronounced 
the  most  furious  invectives,  which  might  be  compared  to  the 


nl 


n  n 


82 


nRACKENHIDCarS 


W.ir  \\  illi  III!'  Si'iiiiriilfS. 


:| 


I*liilij)|)ics  of  tlic  (Jrccian  t)i:il(>r ;  ami  lie  iin<iueslionably  lefl  a 
slroiii;  iinjucssiou  on  the  iniiuls  of  llic  soullicrii  Indians. 

'i'lit're  t'xisiud,  however,  anollu-T  and  more  irnmciiiatc  cansc 
of  llieir  enmity  towards  us.  'I'lio  Seminoles,  and  the  tribes  of 
the  Creeks  who  resided  within  the  territory  of  Spain,  were 
fre.jut  nily  suj>i)lied  with  arms  and  presents  from  the  British 
government,  with  a  view  of  en<fa<rinir  tliem  to  make  war  u[)on 
the  I  nit(Ml  States,  and  also  to  previ'ii  'ipon  the  other  Creeks  to 
join  tliem.  'I'he  town  of  I'ensaeohi,  wliich  was  then,  to  every 
purpose,  uiuh-r  tlie  control  of  (ireal  IJritain,  was  the  usual 
j)laee  at  wiiich  these  j)rcs('nis  were  disinltuted,  and  where  the 
vjirahond  Indians  eould  ite  supplied  with  arms  ;  ami  they 
rcsorleil  to  it,  from  all  the  dill'ercnt  tribes,  for  the  purpose  of 
receiviuiT  them.  It  was  no  dillicidt  matter,  thus  to  e\eite  hos- 
tilities; and  the  attempt,  unl'(Mluiialely,  j»roved  but  too  sueeess- 
iul.  Such  was  th(!  disposition  of  the  southern  Indians,  during 
the  lirsl  year  of  the  war. 

'i'he  Choctaws,  Chickasaws  and  Cherokces,  the  latter  par- 
ticularly, bein^r  further  removed  fron>  IJritisli  inllucncc,  and 
within  reacji  of  our  power,  were  disposed  to  be  friendlv  ;  but 
many  ol  their  resUess  young  men,  in  spite  of  the  nation,  strayed 
t)ll' and  joined  our  enemies.  Hostilities  did  not  ccunmence  on 
the  part  of  any  of  these;  Isuli.ins,  within  our  territory,  during 
the  lirst  year  ol'  the  war.  The  L^overnuunt,  however,  fearinir 
the  W(M*st,  called  on  the  goveitiors  of  (ieor>:ia  and  Tenuf'ssee, 
to  hold  their  militia  in  readiness  ;  and  iieneral  Jackson,  at  the 
head  of  two  thousand  men,  early  in  the  sj)rinir,  marched  throunli 
the  Choctaw  and  Chi<'kasaw  country  to  Natchez,  a  distance  of 
live  hundred  miles  ;  but  every  thing  appearini:  j>eaceful  in  this 
(juarler,  he  shortly  after  ret'irned.  'J'his  expetlition  had  the 
ellecl  oi'  lixiiig  the  tribes  through  which  it  passeil,  and  of  retard- 
ing the  Creek  war.  'i'he  triijes  within  the  limits  of  the 
Spanisii  part  of  Florida,  on  the  contrary,  declared  themselves 
at  once,  and  braiulished  the  scalpin,'  knife  against  the  fro;. tier 
of  CJeorgia. 

'i'lie  Seminoles,  very  soon  after  the  declaration  of  war,  began 
to  nuike  incursions  into  Ceorgia,  accompanieil  by  a  number  of 
negro  runaways,  who  had  lak«Mi  refuge  amongst  them,  'i'hev 
juoceeded  U)  the  usual  work  ol  nuirderiiiu  the  inhabitants,  and 
plundering  their  property.  Ivirly  in  September,  a  party  of 
marines,  and  about  twenty  vohmtt'ers  iimler  captain  Williams, 
we.e  attacked  near  Davis's  Creek  by  about  fifty  Indians  and 
negroes.  After  a  desperate  resistance,  in  which  captains  Wil- 
liams and  Fort  were  both  severely  v.ounded,  the  party  retreated, 
leaving  the  savages  in  possession  o(  their  wagons  and  teams. 


Indian* 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


83 


Wiir  wicli  lli««  Si'iiiinolrs. 


On  the  2  Jtli  of  the  satno   monlli,  rolonrl  Nrwrnnn.  of  the 
(icorghi  vohiiilocrs,   with  about  our    hundred    and   sc. ciileen 
men,  marched    to   the  attack  of  the    fiOchway  towns.      When 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  first  of  these,  he  met  a  party  of  one 
liundred  and   fifty  IncHans  on    liorsehack,   who   instaiiily   (hs- 
inounted  and  prepared  for  haltlc.     Coh)n(l  Mewnian  iinhred  a 
cliarjre,  and   the  Indians  were  driven   into  one  of  tlie  swamps 
which  ahound  in  liiis  part  f»f  tlio  country.     As  they  lied,  the 
fire  of  the  musketry  did  considerahle  execution,  and,  ainonjrst 
others  of  the  slnin,  tliey  left   their   kinjr   in   the   hands    of  il;e 
whites.     'J'lie    Indians  discoverinii  this,   ^\  iih   a   spirit   which 
deserves   to   he  admired,  made  several   desperate  ehari,M's,   in 
order  to  recover  the  body  of  their  chief,  and  were  <':ich   time 
driven   hack.      Ihil   in    another  attempt,  still    more  desperately 
i'lirious,   they  succeeded   in  carryin<r  oil'  the  dead  body  ;  when 
iliey  retireil  from  the  liehl,  alter  a  severe  eonllict  of  luo  hours. 
'I'his,  however,  did  not  free   the  (ieoririans-   from   their  nn|)lea- 
sant  situation.      Before  ni<;lit.  the   Indians   returned  with   ("(ui- 
siderable  reiufoiceinenls  of  negroes  :  and  after  a  los^  more  severe 
tlian    the   first,    they  auain    lied.     'I'he  volunteers    now   found 
tlieir  situation  hecominji  every  moment  more  critical;  the  num- 
ber of  their  wounded,  vvcMild    neither   j)ermit   them   to    retreat 
nor  to  advance,  and   the  enemv  was   hourlv  inereasiuir  on   all 
sides.     A   nu^ssef.irer  was  desjKitched   for  reinforcements  :   and 
in  ilie  meanw  h.ile,  they  threw  up  a  small  breasi-wcnk.      Here 
they  remained  ui.til  tlie  lib  of  Octo!)er,  wailinu  for  assistance; 
haviiifr  in  the  meautiiue  repelled    numerous  assaults   from   the 
Indians,  who  coutiinied   to  b.arass   them  day  and   ninht.      The 
Indians,  ol)S(r\  iiij:   lUat  a  perfect  siU'iuc   prevailed  within   the 
breast-works,  suspected   that  they   had    been    deserted    in   the 
nifjlit;  and  ai)proached  iiiultT  this  assuranc(\  until  within  thirty 
or   forty  paces,  when    the    (ieorijians  suddenly  t-howrd    tliem- 
•••('Ives  above  the  breast-work,  fired  their  |iieces,  and  sent  them 
veiling  to  the   swamps.      'J'lio    V(dunteers  then  decan.peil,  and 
reached  unm(dested  the  viiia^re  of  reccolatta,  whence  they  had 
fe.i  out.     lulellii:encc   of  this   alfair   reached   the   <rovernment 
about  the  commencement  of  the  session   of  c(mL''n!5s,    and    it 
was  found   necessary  to  make  suital»le  prejiaralions  to  jnecl  a 
v.-ar  in   tliis  (piarter.     The  di'fenee  of  this   important   frontier 
was  assifj^ned  to  jrcneral  I'inckney,  of  South  ('arolina,  a  pentle- 
mnn  of  jrreal  distinction  and  ability,  who  was  aj^pointed  a  brii:a- 
ilier  in  the  service  of  the  I  nited  Slates. 

('onirress  had  not  been  hmjr  in  session,  when  tlie  j)ublic 
feelinirs  were  once  more  exeiied  by  news  (»f  the  most  llaliering 
kind.     Another  naval  victory  was  announced,  not  less  splendid 


%rl 


1      i  ^K 


m 

m 


t^ 


84 


BKACKENRIDGE'S 


•til 


1/    !        * 

V 

l\   .:  ■ 
1 


!^^ 


Iv 


-jl^ 


'I'liinl  .\iiviil  N'lrlory  over  ii  Hritish  rrjuatc  (tin;  Java'; 


lliaii  thill  of  the  IJiiitetl  Slates,  and  the  lirslof  the  Coiislilution  : 
the  jlag  uf  iujolher  British  frigate  was  transmitted  to  ourcapilol, 
and  was  jil-.iccd  amongst  the  other  trophies  of  our  naval  prowess. 
In  Ociohcr,  the  (constitution,  commodore  Bainhridge,  and  tlic 
Hornet,  captain  Lawrence,  sailed  from  New  York,  and  were 
tc  cfFect  a  j unction  with  the  Essex,  captain  Porter,  which  sailed 
about  the  s;iine  time  from  the  Delaware  ;  the  ol))cct  of  which 
was  to  cruise  in  the  South  Seas,  and  destroy  the  British  fish- 
eries and  tonimerce  in  that  (juarter.  The  Junction  not  happen- 
ing at  the  t  me  and  place  appointed,  commodore  Porter  passed 
round  Ciijx  Horn  alone.  In  the  meanwhile,  on  the  2l)th  of 
December,  :\  f(!w  leagues  west  of  St  Salvailor,  the  Constitution, 
which  had  ;i  few  days  l)efore  parted  con)j)any  with  tin;  Hornet, 
descried  a  British  frigate.  Commodore  Bainhridge  tacked, 
and  sto<)d  i.  r  her.  At  two  P.  M,  the  enemy  was  within  half 
a  mile  of  the  Constitution,  and  to  windward,  having  hauled 
down  his  colours  except  the  union  ja(;U,  which  was  at  the 
mizcn-mas'  head.  A  gun  was  then  lired  ahead  to  make  him 
show  his  c  'lours,  which  was  returned  by  a  broadside.  'I'he 
enemj's  colours  IxMUgnow  hoisted,  the  action  connncniced  with 
round  and  L'ra|)e  ;  but  he  kcj)!  at  so  jrreat  a  distance  tliat  this 
liad  little  (  lleci;  and  in  this  position,  if  be  were  brought  nearer, 
the  ('(Uistitution  would  be  exposed  to  raking.  At  thirty  minutes 
past  two,  Ix.'ih  ships  were  within  good  caidster  distance,  when 
the  C(>n>iitiition's  w  heil  was  shot  away.  At  forty  minutes 
past  two.  tile  fore  and  main  sail  were  set  ;  and  couunodore 
liaiubridgc,  being  now  delerniineil  to  close  with  her,  lulled  up 
for  that  |)urpose  :  in  ten  minutes  afterward  the  enemy's  jib-liooni 
got  fold  of  the  ('onsiitution's  nti/en  rigging,  and  in  amitlier  ten 
minutes  his  bowsprit  and  jib-boom  were  shot  away.  At  live; 
minutes  past  three,  his  mainiopmast  was  shot  away  just  abovt; 
the  ("aj).  'I'liis  was  ibllowed  by  the  loss  of  his  giUf  and  sjiaiilvcr- 
boom,  and  soon  after  his  mainmast  weni  nearly  by  the  board. 
At  lifteen  minutes  past  three,  tlie  enemy  was  completely  si- 
lencetl,  and  iiis  coloins  at  the  mainmast  being  down,  it  was 
thought  he  had  surrendered:  umler  this  idea  the  Constitution 
shot  ahead  to  repair  damages  ;  after  which,  discovering  the 
enemy's  Hag  stdl  llying,  she  wore,  stood  for  him  in  hand- 
some style,  and  got  close  athwart  his  bows  in  an  edeciiial 
posi.ion  f(U'  rakiiiy,  when  his  mainmast  went  entirely  by  tin; 
board,  and  In-  lay  an  unmanageable  wreck.  \Ui  now  struck  his 
colours  ;  ami  being  taken  possession  of  by  lieutenant  Parker  was 
found  to  be  the  British  iriiialc  ,Iava,  of  thirty-eight  guns,  but 
carrying  forty-nine,  eominanded  by  a  distinguished  ollic(;r, 
captain  Lambert,  who  was   mortally  wounded.     She  had  on 


board  foi 
she  was 
Tho  Con 

ed  ;  the  , 
ed.  Sfi€ 
(iood  II 
Indies  an 
l^)mbay. 
among  \ 
Bombay 
shall,  ma 
ofi'icers  a 

Th?  c( 
was  as  c( 
humanity 
which  gi 
vourably 
which  h( 
pistols  at 
received  ; 
deck.     ^ 
both  actif 
earry  hni 
the  issue 
should  (ji 
Diilany  o 
iniudi  di.< 
a  sword 
Many  ex 
the  seam 
upon  de 
iiig  ;    bu 
struck,  t 
and  expii 

On  tb 
such  a  .s 
leaving  c 
blew  her 
ceived  ih 
presentee 
polite  tre 
passenge 
passenge 
this  plac( 
this  ves> 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


80 


Third  Naval  Victory  over  a  British  Frigale  (tin-  Java). 

board  four  hundred  rnen,  besides  one  hundred  seamen  whom 
she  was  carrying  out  to  the  East  Indies  for  the  service  there. 
The  Constitution  had  nine  men  killed,  and  twenty-five  wound- 
ed ;  the  Java  sixty  killed,  anel  one  hundred  and  twenty  wound- 
ed. She  had  on  board  despatches  for  St  Helena,  the  (!ape  of 
Good  Hope,  and  the  different  establishments  in  the  East 
Indies  and  China,  with  copper  for  a  seventy-four,  l)uilding  at 
Bombay.  There  were  also  on  board  a  number  of  pas.senjrprs, 
among  whom  were  lieutenant-genern!  liislop,  governor  of 
Bombay;  major  Walker  ;  and  one  stalf-m;ijor  ;  captain  Mar- 
shall, master  and  commander,  of  the  royal  navy  ;  and  several 
officers  appointed  to  ships  in  the  East  Indies. 

Th?  conduct  of  all  the  American  ollicers  on  this  occ.ision, 
was  as  conspicuous  for  gallantry  during  the  engagement,  as  for 
humanity  to  the  vanquished.  It  is  this  true  chivalric  courtesy 
which  gives  estimation  to  valour.  liicu'ci/aiit  Aylwin,  so  fa- 
vourably known  to  the  reader,  received  a  severe  wound,  of 
which  he  soon  after  died.  lie  was  in  the  act  ol'  firing  his 
pistols  at  the  enemy  from  the  quarterdeck  hammock,  when  he 
received  a  ball  in  his  shoulder  blade,  which  threw  him  on  the 
deck.  Midshipman  Dulany,  who  had  fought  by  his  side  in 
both  actions  of  this  ship,  ordered  two  men  of  his  division  to 
carry  him  below  ;  to  this  he  would  not  consent  until  he  saw 
the  issue  of  the  battle,  at  the  same  time  declaring  that  no  man 
.-liould  quit  his  post  on  his  account.  Lieutenant  J'arkcr,  James 
Dulany  of  Pennsylvania,  and  James  Packelt,  of  Virginia,  were 
nmch  distinguished  ;  the  latter  was  afterwards  presented  with 
a  sword  by  his  native  state,  and  was  piomoted  to  a  lieutenancy. 
Many  extraordinary  instances  of  iravery  were  manifested  by 
the  seamen,  one  of  whom,  after  being  mortally  wounded,  lay 
upon  deck  during  a  great  part  of  th  action,  apparently  expir- 
ing ;  but  no  sooner  was  it  announced  tliai  the  enemy  had 
struck,  than  he  raised  himself  up,  gave  three  cheers,  fell  back 
and  expired. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  the  commodore,  finding  the  prize  in 
sui-li  a  state  as  to  render  it  impossible  to  bring  Iut  in,  and 
leaving  ew.vy  thing  on  board  except  the  prisoners'  baggage, 
blew  her  up.  On  arriving  at  St  Salvador,  the  commodore  re- 
ceived the  public  acknowledgements  of  governor  liislop,  who 
presented   him  with  an  elegant  sword  in  consideration  of  the 


po 


lite  treatment  wiiiili  he  had  shown.    He  dismissed  tin*  private 


passengers  without  considering  them  as  prisoners;  the  public 
passengers,  officers  and  crew  were  released  on  their  parol.  A.t 
this  jilace  the  Constitution  met  with  the  Hornet;  and  having 
this  vessel  to  blockade  the  Bonne  Citoyenne,  thi'  commodore 
11 


,1 


■     '1 

n 

i 

m 


%'i: 


lif^ 


86 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Disaatera  of  nnr  Arms  to  the  West Ifarrlimn  retumi  to  Ohio. 


\  i\  ; 


;<;  -   :• 


%■ 


it 


n 


l4 
f  ' 


sailed  f^^*-  tlie  l'',iled  Piattfc.  changing  tlic  original  destination 
for  the  Sovt!   :Se:is. 

0.1  tl  t-  arrival  of  commodore  Bainbridge  in  the  United 
Statt.-.,  lie  was  universally  hailed  by  the  applauses  of  his  coun- 
trymen, lie  received  the  freedom  of  the  city  of  New  York  in 
a  gold  l)ox  ;  a  piece  of  plate  fr«)ni  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia, 
and  the  thanks  of  many  of  the  stale  legislatures,  ('ongress  also 
l)resented  him  a  medal,  and  voted  hfiy  thousand  dollars  to  him- 
self, olTicers  and  crew. 

In  the  midst  of  these  allairs,  news  of  fresh  disasters  to  the 
westward,  and  accompanied  by  circumstances  such  as  rarely 
occur  in  the  annals  of  history,  tended  much  to  temper  the 
public  joy  (or  the  second  victory  of  the  Constitution. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


FJarrison  itturns  to  Olijo— flctx  ral  V<nrhcster si^nds  a  Ditmlimrnt  to  the  rflirfoJ' 
FreiH  lilo«  II— 1)(  Iciit  of  tlu'  Uritisli  ami  liuliaiis— Wnu  In  sur  airivt  s  with  Ucjiilnrce- 
nientH— Surrender  at  tin-  Kivtr  Raisin— (.'riirlty  <iftlic  Hritisli  ami  IndiaiiK  at  tin-  Uivtr 
Kui.<iin — Hiniiaiic  ('cmdiict  of  tin;  People  of  Detroit — Marrli  <.f  (leiierai  Harrison — 
Hirjic  of  Fort  Meiys  — Deti  at  of  Colour  1  Dudley — Sortie  under  Colonel  Miller — Hieg» 
of  Furt  Meigs  raiHed — Kxploit  of  Major  liali. 

Wf:  have  seen  with  what  indefatigable  industry  ..i,..^ral  Har- 
rison was  engaged,  in  placing  the  western  frontier  hi  i  posture 
of  defence,  and  in  attempting  to  regain  what  we  hao  lost.  'J'he 
Indian  tril)es  had  been  made  to  feel  the  war  in  their  own  country, 
and  were  driven  to  such  a  distance  by  the  desunclion  of  their 
villages,  as  to  prevent  them  from  annoying  our  selllenieiits ; 
they  were  compellcMl  to  remove  their  wives  and  chililren  to  the 
distant  British  establishments,  in  order  to  obtain  the  means  of 
subsistence.  The  (dose  of  the  season  was  now  chiefly  occu- 
pied in  strengthening  the  frontier  posts,  and  in  establishing  others. 
Great  exertions  were  made  by  governor  Meigs,  of  Ohio,  to 
keep  upt  f  necessary  supply  of  men,  and  to  provide  the  means 
of  subsisttact.  Gencnd  Harrison  established  his  head  quarters 
at  Frankiinton,  whem  v  he  could  with  greater  facility  organize 
and  distrib.'te  to  »he  dili'erenl  forts  tho  reinforcements  and  sup- 
plies v/hlch  must  arrive.  His  objc^vwas  to  concentrate  a  con- 
siderable force  ii;  tlie  ilapius,  and  thence,  unless  a  change  of  cir- 


cnrnyiMii' 
vvvA[  ell( 
pori,  art! I 
the  mou 
ferent  fo 
layeil  th 

In  ihe 
fiance,  w 
ha\  iig  r 
Those 
greater 
Early  in 
intimati( 
which   i 
Detroit, 
concentr 
ther    jir* 
alarmed 
tlieir   pr 
l\orrors 
whoi.i  tl 
kept  in 
been  ihr 
of  the  y 
slroiiiily 
lead  liiei 
some  re 
the  gene 
force    to 
he  deta(! 
with  ord 
bodv. 

i)x\  til 
party  of 
rreiicht( 
them, 
approacj 
inanded 
the  cell  I 
ice,  the; 
howitzei 
their  !)al 
houses  r 
a  showe 
woods. 


\i\ 


'ug« 


irniTORY  OF  THE  ".VAfl. 


87 


nenftral  Wii-^ftester  sends  a  D<^tarhment  to  the  relief  of  Frrnclitown. 


rurnyiances  forbade,  proceed  to  Detroit.  Tin;  goverr merit  was 
ccnij  elled,  in  consecjuenee  of  the  takinu  of  tliat  phu'e,  to  trans- 
pori  nrtiilcry  'And  public  stores  at  an  enordious  expense  across 
the  mountains,  and  down  the  Ohio;  and  afterwards  to  the  dif- 
ferent forts.  Tnis  necessarily  consumed  much  time,  and  de- 
layed the  operations  of  the  army. 

In  ihe  meanwhile,  general  Wiuchexter  continued  at  Fort  De- 
fiance, with  a])out  ei<rht  hundred  men;  many  of  the  volunteers 
hav  ng  returned  home  on  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  service. 
Those  who  rtMiiained  were  chiedy  from  KciUucky,  anil  the 
l^realer  part  ranked  amongst  its  most  respectable  citizens. 
Early  in  the  month  of  .January,  (general  Winchester  received 
intimations  \'ro\n  the  inhaliitants  of  the  villajjc  of  Frenchlown, 
which  is  situated  on  the  river  Raisin,  between  the  Rapids  and 
Detroit,  that  a  larj^e  body  of  Hiiiish  and  Indians  were  about  to 
concentrate  at  this  point,  for  the  purpose  of  prcvcntinj^  the  fur- 
ther projrress  of  the  Americans.  'The  inh;ii)itants,  becominf^ 
alarmed  at  their  situation,  besouoht  the  Americans  to  march  to 
their  proKcuon,  as  they  woidd  probably  be  exposed  to  the 
horrors  of  Indian  massacre,  in  the  midst  of  ferocious  savajres, 
whom  the  IJrilish  were  ol)lii^ed  to  indulifc,  thai  iliey  mi^Wu  be 
kept  ill  good  humour.  Threats  airainst  them  bad,  besides, 
been  thrown  out  by  one  of  t!ie  Indian  chicls.  The  sensibility 
of  the  young  American  vidunteers,  odii-crs  and  privates,  was 
strongly  excited  ;  and  they  earnestly  besouoht  the  general  to 
lead  them  to  tlie  dcb-nce  (»f  the  distressed  inhal)itauis.  With 
some  reluctance,  he  yieldeil  to  their  wishes,  and,  contrary  to 
the  general  plan  of  the  commaiider-in-chicl".  resolved  to  send  a 
force  to  their  relief.  Accoriliiiirly,  on  the  17ili  of  .lanuary, 
he  detached  a  body  of  men  under  colonels  Lewis  and  Allen, 
with  orders  to  wait  at  l*res(iue  Isle,  until  joined  by  the  main 
body. 

()n  tln'ir  arrival,  information  was  received  lliat  an  advance 
parly  of  Ikiiish  and  Indians  had  already  taken  possession  of 
rrenchtown.  Il  was  deiei mined  to  martdi  instiuitly  and  attack 
them.  As  thev  drew  near,  the  enemy  becaim^  apprised  of  their 
approach,  and  prepared  for  their  rcci'piion.  Colonel  Mlcncom- 
manded  the  riirbt  wing,  major  (Jraves  the  left,  and  major  Madison 
the  cenlrc.  On  coming  to  the  river,  wlii(di  \v  as  bridged  with 
ice,  thev  displayed,  and  moved  forward  under  a  fire  from  a 
howitzer  and  musketry.  Majors  (Jraves  and  Madison,  with 
their  battalions,  were  ordered  to  dislodge  the  enemy  t 'oiii  the 
houses  ami  picketing,  which  they  in  a  moment  (dlected,  under 
a  slrower  of  bullets,  and  drove  the  liritisb  and  Iiulians  to  the 
woods.     Colonel  Allen  made  a  simultaneous  movement  upon 


'U''^     \ 

r^l 

iv** 

fJ^Bi-  . 

m 

^1 

i,i|H 

. 

:« 

'  H 

^1 

i 


I 


'*! 


H 


M^ 


t 


i'.i' 


li^ 

.J- 

f^i;  a 

p  1; 

W 

fi- 

.iii' 

*'",■' 

lii^ 

s ' 


1^ 


88  BRACKENRIDGE'S 


D'^frat  of  the  HritJ!<h  and  Imlians Winchester  arrives  with  Rcinforcemfntn. 

their  !nli,  and  ;il'icr  sevcrnl  spirited  rliarjres  compelled  these  to 
take  U)  the  wood  also.  Here,  availiiifr  tliom.selves  of  ilio  fences 
and  fiiUen  titnher,  they  altcnipteil  to  make  a  stand  ;  hut  were 
attacked  a  second  lime,  and  after  a  conflict  mon;  ohstinale  than 
the  first,  atrnin  lied.  Tiiey  now  attempted  to  draw  their  pur- 
suers into  a  wood;  and  partly  succciuliiiir,  they  charf.nul  in  turn 
furiously,  l)ut  were  unahle  to  break  the  Ani"rican  line.  A 
severe  conllici  now  ensued,  hut  the  enemy  were  finally  beaten, 
j)ursued  with  a  continual  ciiarjre  for  several  miles,  ami  entirely 
dispersed.  'I'hc  American  loss  was  twelve  killed,  and  iifty-fivc 
wounded:  that  of  the  enemy  could  not  well  be  ascertained,  hut 
fifteen  of  the  Indians  were  left  on  the  fielil.  The  volunteers, 
having  thus  iralhnuly  ellected  their  object,  encamped  on  the 
8j)ot,  where  \\\vy  remained  until  the  <J()lIi,  when  they  were 
joined  by  (ieneral  Winchester.  With  this  addition,  their  whoh 
force  exceeded  seven  hunilreil  and  fifty  men. 

Si,\  hundred  men  were  phu.ed  within  a  line  of  pickets,  and  the 
remainder,  to  the  number  of  i.ne  hundred  and  fifty,  encamped 
in  the  open  fit-id.  On  ihe  morniii;:  of  \\\o.  22(1,  a  combined  force 
of  about  l"ift(!cu  hundred  men,  under  Proctor  and  the  Indian  chiefs 
Round-Head  and  Split-Log,  suddenly  attacked  our  little  army. 
They  were  in  an  insta:;*  rea.iy  h)r  tlie  reception  of  the  enemy, 
who  planted  six  pieces  of  artillery,  and  opened  a  lieavy  fire, 
accomjKMiicd  wiiii  m  sketry,  against  the  slight  bi\ast-work  of 
pickelH.  'i'he  body  of  men  belonging  to  the  encampment,  and 
composing  the  right  wing,  was  soon  overpowered  by  nundiers, 
and  endeavoured  to  retreat  across  the  river.  Two  companies 
of  fifty  men  each,  seeing  the  xtiiaiion  cl"  their  comrades,  sallied 
out  of  the  breast-work  to  their  relief,  but  were  obliged  to  retreat 
with  them.  Nearly  all  these  unfortunate  men  were  either  cut 
off,  or  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  lothe  British,  under  pro- 
raise  of  protection.  The  left  wing  within  the  pickets,  still  con- 
finned  a  cool  and  steady  res;:ianee.  'i'hree  successive  assaults 
%v?re  made  by  the  Bris'ph  Forty-first,  but  they  were  driven 
!».>ck,  with  the  loss  of  thir'y  killed  and  one  hundred  wounded. 
When  the  right  \\\.''^  brokf  it  ihe  commencement  of  the  action, 
great  efforts  had  beeii  m.u!.  by  treneral  Wincbester  and  colonel 
Lewis,  to  rally  and  bring  thf>;n  v.-iihin  the  pickets;  but  in  the 
attempt  these  oflicers  were  okea  prisoners.  Notwithstanding 
these  misfortunes,  and  tlie  overwhelming  force  which  assailed 
them  on  every  side,  they  .Mill  continued,  wiifi  firmness  and  de- 
termination sehloir  surpas.-e  I,  to  repulse  -vcrv  assault  of  the 
enemy,  until  eleven  o'clock  in  the  clay  ;  making  prodigious 
slaughter  in  his  ranks. 

Finding  at  length  that   it  would  be  vain   to  contend  openly 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


80 


SiirrpiidiT  at  tlit>  Itlvcr  It.iixlri. 


wiih  such  men,  resolved  to  (icfeiul  tlMMnsrlvcs  to  ilio  last,  and 
that  even  if  ihcv  luul  now  Ih'(mi  siicccssrnj,  ilwir  victory  would 
have  hecn  drarly  bousrlit,  the  ciKMny  aiicmptpd  to  prcv.ul  on 
tliem  to  surrender.  The  jreneral  was  told  hv  colonel  {'roctor, 
that  tudcss  his  men  surrendered,  they  woidd  lie  delivered  over 
lo  the  fury  (A'  the  savaiies,  or  what  auionnis  to  tlu!  sanx'  thing, 
no  responsihdity  would  he  taken  lor  their  c(Miducl,  aixl  that 
the  houses  of  the  villai^e  would  he  hurnt.  The  jreneral  sent  a 
flag  coniniunii'aiiiiir  these  p.iriicniars,  and  stntinij  that  in  order 
to  preserve  the  remainder  of  his  brave  troops,  he  had  agreed 
to  surremler  them  as  prisoners  of  war,  on  condition  ot  liicir 
being  protected  frcnn  the  savages,  of  their  being  nllowetl  to 
retain  their  [)rivaU'  property,  and  of  having  their  side  arms 
returned  them.  The  llag  passed  ihree  times;  the  Aiueiic.iMs  be- 
ing imwdlin^r  to  surrender  with  arms  in  their  hands,  until  ihey 
received  a  positive  engagement  from  a  Hriii^li  coloitel  ih'  i  they 
should  not  be  murilered,  ami  thai  they  should  have  the  privilege 
of  burvinn  their  dead.  Thirty-five  otlic'jrs,  ami  four  hiMidred 
and  lifty  non-commissiom'il  olli"ers  and  men,  still  ren.amed, 
after  fighting  six  hours  against  artillery,  surrounded  by  the 
yells  of  a  thousand  savages,  waiting  like  wolves  for  their  prey. 
At  this  time  the  kdled,  wounded  and  missing,  ofilu!  little  arniy, 
incliidiuii  those  that  had  been  outside  the  pickets,  atnouniivl  lo 
more  than  three  huiulred.  The  loss  of  ili(>  Oritish  cduhl  not 
have  been  less.  'I'he  little  band,  thus  soliciteil  by  their  I'.rneral, 
and  giving  way  to  thai  ray  of  hope  whiirh  the  bra-  est  in  l(;spe- 
rale  situations  will  seize,  at  last  cousonled  to  a  surrender. 

Th^  odice  of  the  historian  sonu'tinies  imposes  a  melai.choly 
duty.  The  mind  may  be  allowed  lo  imhdge  a  generous  satis- 
faclion,  in  recording  those  actions  where  a  high,  but  mistaken 
ambition  calls  forth  our  energies  at  the  expense;  of  humanity. 
Who  can  read  without  admiriuLS  tlic  retreat  of  the  ten  thousand 
Greeks,  and  what  heart  can  be  insensible  to  the  recit  d  of  ihe 
fate  of  Leonidas  and  his  immortal  baisd  !  'JMu'  virtues  of  such 
men,  their  (ortitude,  their  love  of  country,  their  unconquerable 
minds,  give  a  sanctity  lo  their  fate;  and  winic  we  grieve  for 
them,  we  rejoice  that  we  also  are  men.  Far  otherwise,  when 
we  trace,  in  characters  of  blood,  tlie  cold,  (lelii)eraie,  liendlike 
depravity,  which  assimilates  men  lo  the  most  odious  and  lero- 


cious  ol  the  brute  creation. 

The  'ask  I  must  now  fultil  is  pain 


ful ;  1 


must  sp*- :l!v  o 


f  suck 


things  as  I  almost  shudder  lo  name  ;  neuher  can  it  be  done 
without  tearing  open  the  yet  bleetling  wounds  of  my  country. 
But  faithful  history  forbids  that  they  should  be  passed  over  in 
silence  ;  they  must  stand  forili    in  all    the  awlulness  of  truth  : 


\-' 


% 


90 


HKACKENKIDGE'S 


1 


Crxii'My  nftUf  liritHli  uiid  Inillnns  M  the  River  Rai.iin. 


w 

.,»'/• 

N-i  ■ 

L,n 

!!'■' 

fi- 

i 

^' 

A 

f^ 


»'.'' » .' 


1.1 'i 


■IH  ^ 


I'A',.  • 


1-4- 


I- 


and  that  injparlial  judgiiu'iU  niiisi  Ix;  passeil  U[)on  them,  which 
will  (loom  liicin  to  the  dclt'stHiioii  ol  all  posterity.  The  vcn- 
^ciince  of  licavrri  docs  not  sleep.  Tliere  is  a  measure  of  retri- 
butive jt'siiee  even  in  this  world,  which  soon  or  late  overtakes 
theswifle.sl  jjuill.  Not  the  most  iiilnrialed  passions  of  the  worst 
times,  ever  Vaused  the  pirpetr.iiion  of  more  shocking  eruei- 
ticsi  than  were  now  praciisi-d  towards  this  hand  of  brave  men. 
Im()elled  by  fecliiifrs  of  humanity,  th(!y  had  marehed  to  protect 
the  feeble  ami  tin-  liclpless  from  savaj^e  violence:  and  assailed  by 
overwhclmiiifif  nund)ers,  tlu-y  miffht  have  contcnd(!(l  to  the  last 
man  ;  but  yieldin<(  to  the  solicitaiions  of  their  captured  ircneral, 
and  to  the  threats  of  the  ( onllafrralion  of  the  villajrcand  ilu;  murder 
of  its  inhabiianls,  they  surrendered  in  an  evil  hour  to  a  faithles.s 
and  treacherous  foe,  that  tlicy  n>i»,Mit  l)c  consijrncd  to  cruel  suf- 
fcrintr,  to  butchery,  to  munlcr,  to  unrcli  iilin^r  loriurc,  to  every 
species  of  savafje  death.  \Vell  niijiht  those  disposed  towage 
such  a  war,  wish  \o  destroy  the  |)en  of  history.  Would,  for  tlit 
honour  of  Britain  ;  would,  for  tlu'  s:ike  of  humanily  ;  would,  for 
the  sake  of  our  common  ri  laUoM>hip  to  a  naiinn  which  pos- 
aess(!s  so  many  virtues,  tli:il  ilu;  odituis  tali;  ol  the  river  l{aisin 
and  rrenchtown,  might  hi;  consigned  to  eternal  oblivion  !  Dut 
it  cannot  be.  'J'he  sacred  i  all  of  truth  n)usl  be  obeyed.  'I'he 
savage  and  wanton  mass;i('r(!  of  our  heroic  countryiniin,  in  the 
presence  ol"  a  liritish  oliicer,  has  not  been  denied,  or  palliated. 
Other  atrocities  the  perp(!trator&  have  atlempted  to  cover,  by 
some  llimsy  veil  of  unsubstantial  excuse  ;  but  this  charge  has 
always  been  met  with  silence.  'J'liey  havi;  not  daretl  directly 
to  deny;  and,  grancus  Heaven,  where  could  they  lind  an  ex- 
cuse ! 

Scarcely  had  the  Americans  surrendered,  inuler  the  stipu- 
lation of  protection  from  the  British  oliicer,  than  our  brave 
citi/cns  disi'overed,  too  lat(!,  that  tlu^y  were  reserved  to  be 
butchered  in  cold  blooil.  Of  the  riglii  wing,  but  a  small  num- 
ber had  escaped;  the  work  of  scalping  and  stripping  the  dead, 
and  murdering  those  who  could  no  longer  resist,  was  suflered 
to  go  on  witluuit  restraint.  'I'he  iiil'crnal  work  was  now  to 
l)cgin  with  those  who  hail  so  bravely  defcuiled  themselves, 
'i'he  infamous  I'roctor  and  the  iiriiisji  ollici'rs  turned  a  deal"  ear 
to  the  just  remonstrances  of  these  uidiappy  men.  Contrary  to 
express  stipulation,  the  swords  were  taken  friun  the  sides  of  the 
oflicers;  and  many  of  tlicm  stripped  almost  naked,  and  robbed. 
The  brave  dead  were  stripped  and  scalped,  and  their  bodies 
shockingly  ujuiiiated.  'I'lie  tomahawk  put  an  end  at  once  to 
the  snlVerings  of  many  of  the  wounded,  who  could  not  rise  ;  in 
allusion  to  which,  some  days  afterwards,  u  British  oliicer  ob- 


;; 


iij 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


01 


(,'rurlty  urtlic  Ilritt.sli  anil  Imliaiis  lU  the  River  RaUin. 

served,  *♦  The  Indians  are  excellent  doctors."  The  prisoners, 
who  now  roni:iinc(l,  wiili  hut  ;i  ft;w  exceptions,  instead  of  heinj; 
jruarded  by  Mrilish  soldiers,  were  ilelivered  to  the  ehartje  of  the 
Indians,  to  be  marched  in  the  rear  of  the  army  to  Maiden. 
This  was,  in  other  words,  a  fid!  |>ermission  to  indid^fe  their 
sava<re  thirst  for  blood  ;  anil  in  this  ihey  were  not  disappointed : 
for  the  (greater  j)arl  of  these  ill  fated  men  were  murilered  on  the 
way,  throuj^h  mere  wantonness.  All  sueh  as  beeanje  too  weak 
for  want  of  nourishment,  from  excessive  fatij^ue,  from  their 
wounds,  in  this  most  ineUiment  season  of  the  year,  were  at 
once  despatched.  Hut  small  was  lln^  remnant  of  this  liille  army, 
that  ever  reached  the  Hritish  trarrison  ;  the  greater  part  of  the 
prisoners  had  been  carried  oil'  by  the  Indians,  that  they  mij^ht 
satiatt!  their  lleiullikc;  hatred  l)V  rt).istiM<r  iliem  at  the  slake:  or 
if  reserved,  ii  was  to  frraiily  their  cupidity,  l)y  renderiiiir  ihem 
the  objects  of  trallic.  Alas!  what  iieart  does  not  shrink  w.ili 
horror,  from  the  recapitulation! 

About  sixty  of  the  wounded,  many  of  them  olTicers  of  dis- 
tinction, or  individuals  of  much  ri'spectabiliiy,  had  been  suflered 
to  take  sjielier  in  the  houses  (if  the  inhabitants,  and  two  of  their 
own  surgeons  permitted  by  Proctor  to  attend  iluMii,  from  whom 
they  also  obtained  a  promise  that  a  jruard  should  be  placeil  to 
protect  them,  and  that  ilu  y  slmuld  l)e  carried  to  Maiden  the 
next  moruiii!;-  in  sU-ds,  Hui  this  allecied  humanity,  was  but 
an  afTLnavation  of  his  iTuelly,  by  awakeniiij(  a  ho|)e  which  he 
inlendi'd  to  disappoint.  No  ^niaril  of  soldiers  was  left,  and  on 
the  next  day,  insti-ad  of  sleds  to  ctmvey  them  to  a  place  of 
safety,  a  party  of  Indians  returned  to  the  held  of  battle,  fell  upon 
these  poor  woundeil  men,  |)luii(lered  llieiii  ol  their  clothing,  and 
every  ariicle  of  any  value  which  remained,  tomahawked  the 
irreaier  part  of  ihein,  and,  to  (inish  the  scene,  lired  the  houses, 
and  coiisuuu'd  the  d)  iug  and  the  dead! 

'I'he  terrible  taU;  is  not  yet  tuld.  Those  rites,  which  in 
every  civilized  country  are  luld  sacred,  which  are  not  williludd 
from  the  vilest  malelact<»r,  which  are  paid  alike  to  enemies  and 
to  friends,  and  for  which  there  existed  an  express  stijuilation 
with  tlu!  monster  who  coininanded  (a  stipulation  nnnecessarv 
amongst  cuilized  men; — the  riles  of  sepulture,  were  not 
only  denied,  but  the  humane  iiihal)itants  of  the  village  dared 
not  perform  them  under  pain  of  death.  And  why  was  thia  re- 
fused.' IJecausc,  said  I*rt»cior,  his  majesty's  allies  wt)uld  not 
permit  1  Was  there  any  aliempi  made  to  bury  them?  None. 
Notwiilistanding   this,    some   ol'   tlu;    inhabitants,  aiihough    it 


"  was  as  much  as  their  lives  were 


worth 


did 


venture  to  per- 


M 


?'  J 


! 


t\)rm  this  last  anil   pious  oflice    to  captain   Hart,    to   captais 


1>2 


nuAtncKNRinrjE's 


pi  ; 
III  *».< 


it:. 

If 


rnifUy  of  Mir  llritisli  ,inil  liHliaiiH  at  tin-  Itivir  KiilMln. 

Woolfolk,  and  a  few  others  ;  hnl  the  ii'tiiaiiuler,  iio.irly  iwo 
huiulrcd  in  miinhcr,  iu'vrr  liad  lliis  oHicc  pcrlormcd  Inr  llirm, 
until  tlieir  friends  and  relatives  triiiinplied  in  turn,  the  aniurnii 
followini^,  and  then  (raiher(!(l  up  thitir  hh-achini;  hones  and  laid 
them  in  one  ('(tniMion  rrav*',  'I'heir  rnanjiled  hodies  had  hecn 
suirercd  lo  lie  on  tin'  ifroniid  exposed  to  [\\v.  feroeious  heastsof 
prey,  or  lo  ilu'  more  horrd)le  polluiion  of  iloinesiic  animals. 

'I'he  trajredy  wis  diversilicil  hy  the  nio.sl  alllieting  H'-enes  of 
individual  sulVerinif.  The  late  ol'  the  hrave  and  aeeomplishod 
captain  liart.  a  mar  relative  of  two  ol'  our  most  distiiiLMiished 
statesmrn  (Henry  ('lay  and  .lauu's  Hrown),  a  youu},'  ^MMitle- 
man  of  finished  ( diieation  and  p(dislied  mannern,  cannot  be 
related  without  a  tear.  Il(!  had  in  a  particular  manner  distin- 
guished himseir  (hirnii;  'lie  enir:il(cment,  ami  had  received  a 
severe  uound  in  the  knee.  On  htMUiT  surremh'fcd  with  the 
other  prison(MH,  Ik;  was  rcM'oirnized  hy  et)lonel  Mlliot,  a  native 
of  the  United  Slates,  wiili  whom  he  had  heen  a  classmate  at 
Princeton,  hui  who  had  hecom(<  a  Mrilish  ollicer  and  an  ally  tu 
the  sava<res.  IJa>e  indeed  must  he  that  man,  whose  soul,  uiuler 
such  circumstances,  woidd  not  he  touched!  i'^lliot  voluntarily 
offered  his  .services  to  tln5  iViend  of  his  youth,  his  ccuintryman, 
and  promised  to  i:dve  him  under  his  special  protection  and  to 
transport  him  lo  Maiden  ;  hut  whether  he  chaiiiied  his  njiiid, 
or  was  (orl)iddeM  l»y  Proctor,  certain  it  is,  that  he  irave  him -elf 
no  I'urther  concern  on  the  subject.  The  next  tlay  a  party  of 
Indians  came  into  the  room  where  he  lay,  and  lore  him  Ironi 
his  bed  ;  he  was  {l:en  carried  to  another  ai)artmenl  by  one  of 
his  brother  ollicers,  where  he  soon  experienced  thesanu;  tr»'at- 
nient.  lie  then,  by  the  oiler  of  a  lar^(!  sutn  of  money,  induced 
some  Indians  lo  take  him  to  Maiden  ;  they  had  procei  deil  but 
a  short  di^tancl^  when  they  dra<rged  him  from  his  horse,  sh(»t 
him  and  scaljxd  him.  Tim  same  spei-ies  of  sud'eiiiiij:  was  un- 
dert(<MH!  by  c(dimcl  Alien,  by  cajjlains  UicUmaii,  W  i)()lf>)lk, 
and  M'('rackeii.  This  ill-fated  baiul  was  composed  of  the 
tlower  <d"  Kentucky  ;  wr.  may  name  Mr  Simpson,  a  member 
of  conjrress,  caplains  Bledsoe,  Malson,  ilamillon,  Williams 
and  Kelly,  and  inaiors  Madison  and  Ballard.  Willi  tlio(;xcep- 
tion  of  three  <*onipan'es  of  United  States  mi'antry  uiuler  captains 
llightower,  Collier  ai\d  Sebreo,  they  were,  all,  the  vtdunleers  of 
thi't  patriotic  stale.  On  the  eveninfrsucceedini;  ihe  en^iairement, 
rum  was  iiistril)nte<l  to  the  Indians,  for  a  froin^  in  wliich  they 
were  disp(»s(Ml  lo  indulirc,  and  we  may  easily  sup[)ose  what 
was  the  nature  *»f  iheir  infernal  orifies. 

Proctor  m)W  bcjriiinin<r  lo  fear  the  infamy  attached  to  his 
conduct,  oU'ered  a  price  for  those  whom  liie  Indians  still  j)rc- 


HISTORY  or  TIIR  WAR. 


93 


iliiinanB  ('ondiicl  nith''  l')'i>|tl«>  of  Dflntii. 


served — tlin.'^"  prismiors  wlio  li:nl  surreiulcnd  on  the  failli  of  a 
capitnlatioh  aiiii  him,  and  whom  \.r  oii^ht  nivi  r  to  have  ahati- 
(hmed.  'I'hc  h\imaii«'  inhahilaiits  nl  Dtiroil  had  already  exhi- 
bited n  (h'^ree  ol' teiuh-rness  and  sidtciitide  lor  their  iiiihirtiinat(> 
coiintrymcii  which  will  ever  rnlille  ihem  to  our  p;ralitiide  ami 
esteem.  Many  of  lliem  parted  with  every  ihiiiir  they  possessed 
of  value,  for  the  purchase  <il  the  prisoners  ;  lor,  to  ilie  tlisjiraee 
of  0  ^  l^ritish  arms  nnist  il  he  rec-orded,  persons  of  the  fist 
respev  i..i  Uily,  who  composed  this  S|)arlan  hand,  were  snllVred, 
under  liie  eyes  of  colonel  Proeior.  to  he  hau  ked  ahoul  the  streets 
from  door  to  door,  ami  oll't  retl  lor  sale  like  heasts  1  The  only 
restraint  on  the  cruelly  of  the  savajfe  wrendies,  arose  from 
permiitinjr  them  to  consuli  their  avarice.  liven  such  prison- 
ers as  were  more  foi lunate,  no  matter  uhai  ilieir  rank  or 
cl'.aracter,  were  treated  with  every  species  of  contumely  and 
Contempt. 

'i'lie  eonduelof  the  peo|tlc  of  Detroit  was  such  as  miyhlhave 
been  ex|)«!Cied  from  humane  Americans.  Tlu;  female  sex,  ever 
theforemost  in  aci  of  henevolem'e  to  thetHstressed,  were  parti- 
cularly distiiiiriiished;  they  yladly  {javc;  their  shaw  Is,  and  «'ven  the 
Idankels  iVmn  ilieir  beds,  when  noihiiiL'  else  remained  for  them 
to  fiive.  Mr  ^^  oodward,  the  h)rmer  juiljie  of  the  supreme  court, 
ami  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  I  nit«Ml  Stales,  a  man  f)f 
enlitrjiteiied  mind,  now  openly  and  Ixddly  remonstrated  with 
I'roctor,  ami  in  the  manly  lone  of  his  injured  country  depicted 
the  infamy  of  the  IJriiish  conduct.  "  The  truih,"  said  he, 
"  must  undoubtedly  eventually  a|)pear,  and  ihalunforlunate  day 
must  meet  the  steady  and  impartial  eye  of  history."  'I'hose 
facts  have;  been  established  Ity  a  cloud  of  witnesses,  anil  the 
appeal  of  jud^e  Woodward  will  reach  posterity.  Jiet  the  reader 
of  this  history  now  remember,  that  this  was  but  the  commence- 
ment of  a  series  of  barbarities,  b(»ih  upon  the  Atlantic  bord  and 
nj)on  the  frontier,  which  was  afierwards  systematic;dly  pur- 
siu.'d  :  thai  so  far  from  this  haviiiir  been  co\ered  by  ihe  base 
excuse  of  retaliation,  it  is  a  charge  which  has  never  olhervvise 
been  met  than  with  the  silence  ot  eonscit)us  guilt. 

Never  did  any  calamity  so  deej)ly  alleci  the  sensil  ilities  of  a 
people.  All  KeiiUicky  /tuts  liUralh^  in  ni()vrniti<( :  for  ihe 
soldiers  lluis  massacred,  tortured,  biinii,  or  denied  iln'  comimui 
riles  of  sepulture,  were  of  the  most  respectable  families  of  the 
state  ;  many  of  them  younjj  men  of  fortune  ami  distinciion, 
with  numerous  friends  and  relatives. 

Il  woulil  be  unjust,  in  this  common  anathema,  to  include  all 
the  Ikilish  officers  :  the  names  of  some  deserve  to  be  rescued 


Hi 


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04 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


March  of  (Jeiier.il  Harrison. 


from  this  indelible  reproach  ;  major  Miiir,  ■  ;iptains  Aikins, 
Curtis,  Dr  IJowen,  and  tlic  reverend  Mr  Parrow.  Elliot  was 
also  spoken  of  in  favoural)le  terms  by  tlic  American  officers,  as 
having  on  some  occasions  interested  himself  for  the  suHerers. 
Enough  has  certainly  been  said  on  this  distressing  subject ;  one 
part,  however,  cannot  be  omiltnd.  Proctor,  perceiving  the 
eagerness  of  the  people  of  Detroit  in  purchasing  the  unhappy 
captives,  actually  issued  an  order  prohiliiting  any  further  pur- 
chases, on  the  giound  that  they  gave  more  than  the  govern- 
ment. This  officer  was  afterwards  promoted  to  the  rank  of  a 
brigadier,  in  consequence  of  his  good  conduct,  particularly  in 
saving  the  prisoners  from  the  fnrij  of  the  Indians.  If  any 
thing  can  move  indignation,  it  is  tliis  climax  of  insult.  The  facts 
were  afterwards  proved  to  the  satisfaction  of  every  one  ;  but 
the  British  government  was  silent,  instead  of  making  a  signal 
example  of  the  man  who  had  brought  such  disgrace  upon  her 
name. 

A  few  days  after  the  affiiir,  a  Dr  M'Keehan  was  despatched 
by  general  llnrriscm  fur  the  purpose  of  attending  tiie  sick,  and 
provided  witii  gold  t(»  purchi.se  such  things  as  they  iniLHit  want. 
The  doctor,  luuwithstaiuling  his  Hag,  his  sacred  errand,  and 
an  open  letter  directed  to  any  British  officer,  stating  tlie  object 
of  his  mission,  was  actually  wounded  and  robbed,  then  dragged 
to  Maiden,  whence  he  was  taken  to  Quebec.  After  the  suf- 
ferings of  several  months,  having  been  dragged  from  place  to 
place,  from  dungeon  to  dungeon,  he  at  length  reached  home, 
with  a  constitution  totally  i'npaired.  Such  are  the  distressing 
occurrences  whi(;li  it  becomes  the  painful  duty  of  the  historian 
to  rectord. 

The  news  of  this  melanclioly  affiiir  soon  after  reached  generr>,l 
Harrison,  who  was  on  his  march  with  reinforcements  to  general 
Winchester.  lie  had  hea'isvith  chagrin  the  moven\ents  of 
that  officer,  and  apprehensive  of  the  consequence,  had  ordered 
a  detachment  of  tliren  hundred  men,  under  major  Colgreves, 
from  general  Perkins's  brigatle  of  Ohio  militia,  to  march  to  ids 
relief,  lleaiinir  of  the  disaster,  tliey  fell  back  upon  the  Rapids, 
where  general  Harrison  was  then  stationed,  who  retreated  to 
Carrying  river,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  junction  with  the 
troops  in  the  rear,  and  favouring  the  convoy  of  artillery  and 
stores  then  comifig  from  Upper  Sandusky,  lie  first,  however, 
despatched  a  chosen  body  of  one  hundred  and  seventy  men  for 
the  purpose  of  picking  up  such  of  the  unfortunate  fugitives  as 
might  have  escaped.  The  number  of  these  was  very  sma'l,  on 
account  of  the  depth  of  the  snow,  which  rendered  it  almost  im- 


possible f 
promptly 
son,  the 
set  about 
of  Ohio, 
same  tim 
who  com 
partizan 
severe  wi 
had  entir 
sary  to  o 
purpose  < 
Kentucky 
formatioi 
The  ei 
siderable 
and  as  tli 
brigade,  ; 
volunteer 
arrival,  g 
approach 
at  the  di 
country  o 
garrison 
Harrison, 
to  improi 
of  captaii 
him  to  pi 
fortificatii 
Imndred, 
determin( 
one  of  th 
the  advai 
about  thi 
themselvi 
een  poun 
sent  to  h 
ing  with 
people,  s 
most  to  1 
friends, 
pied  in  s 
around  tl 
batteries 
rably  imj 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


95 


Siege  of  Fort  Meigs. 


possible  for  them  to  make  their  way.  Governor  Meigs  having 
promptly  despatched  two  regiments  to  the  assistance  ol  Hani- 
son,  the  latter  again  advanced  to  the  Rapids,  and  inunediately 
set  about  constructing  a  fort,  which,  in  honour  of  the  governor 
of  Ohio,  he  named  Fort  Meigs.  Forlifirations  were  at  the 
same  time  constructed  at  Upper  Sanckisky  by  general  ('rooks, 
who  commanded  the  Pennsylvania  n)iliiia-  Excepting  some 
partizan  excursions,  nothing  additional  transpired  during  the 
severe  winter  months.  The  movement  of  general  Winchester 
had  entirely  deranged  the  plans  of  Harrison;  and  it  was  neces- 
sary to  organize  a  new  system.  He  returned  to  Ohio,  for  ihc 
purpose  of  obtaining  an  additional  force  frf)m  that  state,  and 
Kentucky.  Towards  the  beginning  of  April,  he  received  in- 
formation which  hastened  his  retr.rn  to  Fort  Meigs. 

The  enemy  for  some  time  past  had  been  collecting  in  con- 
siderable numbers,  for  the  purpose  of  laying  siege  to  ihis  place  : 
and  as  the  new  levies  had  not  yet  arrived,  the  Pennsylvania 
brigade,  although  its  term  of  service  had  expired,  generously 
volunteered  for  the  defence  of  the  fort.  Immediately  on  his 
arrival,  general  Harrison  set  about  making  preparations  for  the 
approaching  siege.  The  fort  was  situated  upon  a  rising  ground, 
at  the  distance  of  a  few  hundred  vards  i'rom  the  river,  the 
country  on  each  side  of  which  is  chiefly  natural  meadows.  The 
garrison  was  well  supplied  with  the  means  of  defence,  and 
Harrison,  with  unremitted  exertions,  laboured,  night  and  day, 
to  improve  its  capacity  for  resisting  the  siege,  'i'lie  assistance 
of  captains  Wood  and  Gratiot,  his  principal  engineers,  enabled 
him  to  put  in  practice  whatever  was  necessary  to  improve  his 
fortifications.  The  troops  in  the  fort,  to  the  number  of  twelve 
hundred,  the  greater  part  volunteers,  were  in  high  spirits,  and 
determined  to  defend  themselves  to  the  utmost.  On  the  28th, 
one  of  the  parties  constantly  kept  out  for  the  purpose  ol'  noting 
the  advance  of  the  enemy,  reported  that  he  was  in  great  force 
about  three  miles  below.  A  few  British  and  Indians  showed 
themselves  on  the  opposite  side  ;  but  a  few  shot  from  an  eight- 
een pounder,  compelled  them  to  retire.  A  despatch  was  now 
sent  to  hasten  the  march  of  general  Clay,  who  was  approach- 
ing with  twelve  hundred  militia  from  Kentucky.  'I'hese  brave 
people,  so  much  sufferers  during  the  war,  were  ever  the  fore- 
most to  meet  danger,  and  the  first  to  fly  to  the  relief  of  their 
friends.  On  the  three  following  days,  the  enemy  was  occu- 
pied in  selecting  the  best  positions  on  either  side  of  the  river, 
around  the  fort,  whence  it  might  be  annoyed,  and  in  erecting 
batteries  on  the  oj)posite  side  :  in  the  latter,  they  were  conside- 
rably impeded  by  the  lire  from  Fort  Meigs  ;  but  they  usually 


,  t.i 


..  Jt 


m 


96 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


({e  of  Fort  Meigs. 


availed  themselves  of  the  niglil,  lo  proceed  in  the  work.  A 
lire  of  small  arms  had  bee:i  kept  up  by  them,  which  was  re- 
turned by  the  American  artillery,  but  without  any  loss  of  im- 
portance on  either  side. 

The  garrison  suffered  somewhat  from  want  of  water,  their 
well  not  being  completed  ;  and  it  was  attended  with  great  risk 
to  obtain  their  supply  during  the  night  from  the  river.  The 
perpetual  vigilance  necessary  to  be  observed  in  guarding  against 
a  surprise,  required  them  to  lie  constantly  on  their  arms,  and 
was  calculated  to  wear  them  down.  On  the  1st  of  May,  the 
enemy  had  mounted  his  batteries,  and  opened  a  fire  with  one 
twenty-four  pounder,  one  twelve,  one  six,  and  one  howitzer. 
No  material  injury  was  done  on  either  side  :  the  commander- 
in-chief  made  a  narrow  escape,  a  ball  having  struck  a  bench  on 
which  he  was  sitting;  and  some  days  before,  a  man  was  mor- 
tally wounded  by  his  side.  On  the  3d,  an  additional  battery 
was  opened,  at  the  distance  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards 
from  the  fort,  mounted  with  a  mortar;  and  a  number  of  bombs 
were  thrown :  but  this  was  several  times  silenced.  In  this 
part  of  the  siege,  major  Chambers  approached  the  fort  with  a 
flag,  and,  for  the  first  time,  summoned  the  place  to  surrender. 
He  stated,  that  the  British  commander  was  ilesirous  of  sparing 
the  effusion  of  human  blood ;  that  his  force  was  so  immense 
that  it  would  be  impossible  lo  withstand  it ;  and  that,  unless  the 
Americans  threw  themselves  at  once  upon  the  tender  mercy  of 
Proctor,  they  might  expect  to  be  massacred  in  cold  blood. 
'J'his  summons  was  received  by  Harrison,  with  the  contempt 
and  indignation  it  merited.  To  look  for  mercy  from  the  hands 
of  Proctor,  yet  reeking  from  the  murder  of  the  Kentuckians 
at  the  river  Raisin,  would  have  been  imbecility  indeed ;  and  if 
he  had  not  been  able  to  restrain  the  Indians  then,  how  could  he 
now,  when,  according  to  his  own  account,  the  number  ot 
these  collected,  was  greater  than  had  ever  been  known  I  The 
commander  expressed  his  surprise,  that  the  garrison  had  not 
been  summoned  before  ;  this  at  least  implied  they  thoug^U  him 
resolved  to  do  his  duty:  and  that  as  to  the  number  of  his  force, 
which  he  represented  as  of  such  unusual  magnitude,  it  was  a 
trick  which  he  perfectly  understood.  He  then  requested  ma- 
jor Chambers  to  return  for  answer  to  general  Proctor,  that 
while  lie  had  the  honour  to  command  an  American  fort,  it 
should  never  surrender  to  a  combined  force  of  British  and  In- 
dians. 

The  siege  was  renewed  with  great  vigour,  and  (he  firing  was 
hotly  kept  up  on  both  sides.  The  Indians  mounted  on  trees  at 
some  distance  from  the  fort,  fired  into  it,  and  killed  and  wounded 


several, 
under  ge 
he  was  i 
stantly  d 
requiring 
landing  ( 
teries  ;  a 
on  the  si 
nel  Milli 
simultau( 
enemy  w 
nel  Dudl 
by  gener 
vanccd  o 
ried  in  ai 
pel  led  (() 
celebrate 
when  tin 
to  form 
and,  to  ( 
the  wood 
executed 
with  vie 
slaugliter 
petuosity 
career ;  li 
could  res 
surrounds 
now  cnsi 
tuckians, 
not  to  th 
command 
Itouiul-II 
sonally  ii 
dred  and 
or  missin 
to  the  riv 
ler  he  w£ 
ral  Clav, 
drawn  in 
ordered  a 
'J'he  in 
disconcer 
withstant 
men,  assi 
I 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


97 


Defeat  of  Colonel  Dudley Sortie  under  Colonel  Miller. 


several.  On  the  5lh,  a  small  party  from  the  advancir/g  corps 
under  general  Clay,  reaclunl  the  fort,  with  the  inrormalion  that 
he  was  in  his  boats  not  many  niih's  above.  Orders  were  in- 
stantly despatched  by  the  commander-in-chief  to  the  general, 
requiring  him  to  detach  eight  hundred  men  for  the  purpose  of 
landing  on  the  opposite  side  and  destroying  the  enemy's  bat- 
teries ;  and  in  the  meanwhile  he  j)rojecied  a  sortie  ag:'.inst  those 
on  the  side  of  thi^  fort,  under  the  command  of  lieutenant-colo- 
nel Miller  of  the  Nineteenth  iMiiletl  Slates  infantry.  This 
simultaneous  attack  was  well  })lanned  :  should  it  suc.;eed,  the 
enemy  would  be  compelltnl  to  raise  the  siege  instantly.  Colo- 
nel Dudley,  who  was  charged  with  tiie  execution  of  tlie  order 
by  general  Clay,  landed  his  men  in  good  order,  and  then  ad- 
vanced on  the  enemy's  cannon.  'I'he  lour  batteries  were  car- 
ried in  an  instant,  aiul  the  Hrilish  regulars  and  Indians  com- 
pelled to  take  to  flight.  A  large  boily  of  Indians,  under  the 
celebrated  Tecumseli,  were  on  their  march  to  the  liritish  camp, 
when  they  met  the  fugitives :  this  body  was  instantly  ordered 
to  form  an  ambush,  and  wait  the  approach  of  the  Americans  ; 
and,  to  decoy  them,  a  few  Indians  showed  theiuselves  out  of 
the  woods,  as  if  to  renew  the  action.  Colonel  Dudley  havinir 
executed  his  >  rders,  commanded  a  retreat ;  but  his  men,  Hushed 
with  victory,  aiul  roused  with  the  desire  of  avenginir  their 
slaughtered  countr} men,  puslied  Ibrward  with  irresistible  im- 
petuosity. 'J'heir  commander  in  vain  atteinp'ied  to  check  their 
career ;  he  even  turned  his  sponloon  against  them  ;  but  nothing 
could  restrain  them.  In  a  few  moments,  they  found  themselves 
surrounded  by  three  times  their  numl  A  desperate  tight 

now  ensued,  wliich  was  tbllMwed  by  a  slaughter  of  the  Ken- 
tuckians,  almost  as  terrible  as  that  at  the  river  Kaisin,  though 
not  to  the  same  extent  after  the  bailie,  'i'he  chief  who  now 
commanded,  was  of  a  much  more  generous  character  than 
Round-Head,  or  Proctor;  and  even  on  the  Held  of  battle  per- 
sonally inter[)0sed  to  save  those  who  yielded.  IJut  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  made  their  escape  ;  the  rest  were  either  killed 
or  missing.  Colonel  Dudley  attempted  lo  cut  his  way  through 
to  the  river;  but  was  killed,  having  himself  slain  an  Indian  af- 
ter he  was  mortally  wounded.  Tlie  other  party,  under  gene- 
ral Clay,  landed  upon  the  side  of  the  fort,  and  was  near  being 
drawn  in  like  manner  into  an  ambush,  when  general  Harrison 
ordered  a  troop  of  horse  to  sally  out  and  cover  their  retreat. 

'J'he  impetuosity  of  colonel  Dudley's  party,  in  some  measure, 
disconcerted  the  plan  of  the  sortie  under  colonel  Miller.  Not- 
withstanding this,  he  sallied  forth  at  the  head  of  three  hundred 
men,  assaulted  the  whole  line  of  their  works,  manned  by  three 


I  Iti 


it 


98 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Hortie  under  Cotunel  Miller Siege  of  Fort  Meigs  raised. 


sir 


hundred  and  fifty  regulars  and  five  hundred  Indians,  and  after 
several  brilliant  charges,  drove  the  enemy  from  their  principal 
batteries,  spiked  the  cannon,  and  returned  to  the  fort  with  for- 
ty-two prisoners.  The  first  charge  was  made  on  the  Canadians 
and  Indians  by  major  Alexander's  battalion ;  the  second  by 
colonel  Miller,  against  the  regulars :  the  officers  of  these  were 
Croghan,  Langham,  iJradford,  a  gallant  officer,  Nearing,  and 
lieutenants  Gwynne  and  Campbell.  A  company  of  Kentuck- 
ians,  commanded  by  captain  Sebree,  who  had  distinguished 
himself  in  the  battle  of  Frenchtown,  was  particularly  remarked  : 
it  maintained  its  ground  with  unshaken  firmness,  at  one  time 
against  four  times  its  numbers  ;  and  being  entirely  surrounded, 
would  have  been  cut  to  pieces,  had  not  lieutenant  Gwynne,  of 
the  Nineteen...,,  gallantly  charged  through  the  enemy,  and 
released  it. 

A  cessation  of  hostilities  took  place  during  the  three  follow- 
ing days ;  flags  frequently  passed  between  the  besiegers  and 
the  besieged,  and  arrangements  were  entered  into  for  the 
exchange  of  prisoners.  Tecumseh  agreed  to  release  his  claim 
to  the  persons  taken  by  the  Indians,  provided  some  Wyandots, 
to  the  number  of  forty,  were  delivered  up  :  and  Proctor  pro- 
mised to  furnish  a  list  of  the  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners; 
with  this,  however,  he  never  complied.  On  the  9th,  the  ene- 
my appeared  to  be  engaged  in  making  preparations  for  raising 
the  siege:  a  schooner^  and  some  gun-boats  had  been  brought 
up  during  the  night,  for  the  purpose  of  embarking  their  artil- 
lery ;  a  few  shot  from  the  fort  compelled  them  to  relinquish 
this  design,  and  at  ten  o'clock,  they  raised  the  siege,  and  moved 
off  with  their  whole  force. 

Thus  terminated  a  siege  of  thirteen  days,  in  which  our  ene- 
mies were  taught,  that  in  future  they  must  expect  to  meet  with 
resistance  different  from  that  which  they  had  experienced  from 
Hull  ;  and  that,  if  they  should  succeed  in  taking  an  American 
garrison,  it  must  be  after  severe  fighting.  The  loss  of  the 
Americans  in  the  fort,  was  eighty-one  killed,  and  one  hundred 
and  eighty-nine  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  Kentuckians,  as 
usual,  was  much  the  most  severe,  amounting  to  upwards  of 
seventy  killed  and  wounded,  besides  the  loss  under  colonel  Dud- 
ley. This  officer  was  much  regretted;  few  men  in  Kentucky 
were  more  generally  esteemed :  his  body,  after  much  search,  was 
found  unburied,  and  horribly  mangled.  He  was  interred,  to- 
gether with  some  of  his  companions,  with  the  honours  of  war. 

The  force  under  general  Proctor  was  reported  at  five  hun- 
dred and  fifty  regulars,  eight  hundred  militia,  and  fifteen  hundred 
Indians  ;  the  latter  of  whom  fought  willi  great  courage,  and,  on 


several  0( 
garrison, 
person,  w 
collected 
place,  it  ii 
extremely 
the  custoi 
villages,  i 
dinate  chi 
tately  to  i 
in  his  has 
rican  oflic 
tinguishec 
frequently 
vice  durin 
a  brilliant 
son,  Sodi 
the  most 
literary  a 
afterwards 
behaved  S( 
chiefly  of 
the  accon 
son  of  the 
feat.  It  V 
who  desei 
After  th 
a  consider 
pletion  of 
then  in  co 
Fort  Mei^ 
the  lake, 
would,  th 
state  of 
general  H 
organizing 
deputation 
Ohio,  and 
a  tender  o 
da.  Hith 
by  Logan 
none  of  tl 
States.  'J 
by  them : 
their  couri 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


00 


Siege  of  Fort  Meips  raised. 


several  occasions,  rescued  iheir  allies  in  the  sorties  from  the 
garrison.  On  the  day  of  the  last  affair,  Tecumseh  arrived  in 
person,  with  the  largest  hody  of  Indians  that  iiad  ever  been 
collected  on  the  northern  frontier;  and  had  not  the  sortie  taken 
place,  it  is  probable  the  situation  of  the  army  would  have  been 
extremely  critical.  'J'he  Indians,  after  the  battle,  according  to 
the  custom  which  prevails  amongst  them,  had  returned  to  their 
villages,  in  spite  of  the  exertions  of  Tecumseh  and  his  subor- 
dinate chiefs.  Thus  weakened.  Proctor  was  obliged  precipi- 
lately  to  retreat,  leaving  behind  many  valuable  articles,  which 
in  his  haste  he  was  unable  to  carry  away.  Besides  the  Ame- 
rican officers  already  named,  there  were  many  others  who  dis- 
tinguished tl.emselves :  major  Hall,  an  active  oflicer,  who  was 
frequently  complimented  in  general  orders,  rendered  great  ser- 
vice during  the  siege;  captain  Croghan  on  one  occasion  made 
a  brilliant  sortie  on  the  British  regulars  ;  majors  Todd,  John- 
son, Sod  wick,  ilitzen,  and  Stoddard,  were  also  mentioned  in 
the  most  honourable  terms.  The  latter,  a  man  of  distinguished 
literary  attainments,  received  a  severe  vvoiind,  of  which  he 
afterwards  died.  Captain  Butler's  Pitt'-hurgh  Blues,  which 
behaved  so  handsomely  at  the  battle  of  Mississiniwa,  composed 
chiefly  of  young  gentlemen  of  Pittsburgh,  sufTered  severely ; 
the  accomplished  young  officer  who  commanded  them,  was  a 
son  of  the  lamented  general  Butler,  who  fell  in  St  Clair's  de- 
feat. It  would  be  in  vain,  on  tliis  occasion,  to  enumerate  all 
who  deserved  the  applauses  of  their  country. 

After  the  siege  of  Fort  Meigs,  ofiensive  operations  were  for 
a  considerable  time  suspended  on  both  sides.  Until  the  com- 
pletion of  the  naval  preparations  on  Lake  Erie,  which  were 
then  in  considerable  forwardness,  the  troops  were  to  remain  at 
Fort  Meigs,  and  Upper  Sandusky.  Without  the  command  of 
the  lake,  little  of  consequence  could  be  effected;  the  troops 
would,  therefore,  continue  a  great  part  of  the  summer  in  a 
state  of  inactivity,  awaiting  this  event.  In  ihe  meantime 
general  Harrison  returned  to  Franklinton,  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  the  forces  expected  to  concentrate  at  that  place.  A 
deputation  from  all  the  Indian  tribes  residing  in  the  state  of 
Ohio,  and  some  in  the  territories  of  Indiana  and  Illinois,  made 
a  tender  of  their  services  to  follow  general  Harrison  into  Cana- 
da. Hitherto,  with  the  exception  of  a  small  band  commanded 
by  Logan,  a  distinguished  chief  and  nephew  of  Tecumseh, 
none  of  the  friendly  Indians  had  been  employed  by  the  United 
States.  The  advice  to  remain  neutral,  could  not  be  understood 
by  them  :  they  considered  it  in  some  measure  a  reproach  upon 
their  courage  ;   more  pp.rlicularly,  as  several  hostile  incursions 


^  ni 


100 


imACKENRTDGE'S 


K.vijldit  of  Major  Hull liritish  Prcimratioiis  in  Canailii. 


h  • 


had  been  mado  of  lain  into  their  settleiiieiits  by  the  hostile  In- 
dians. (Jenoral  llairison  consented  to  receive  iheni  into  the 
service  ;  but,  expressly  on  coiuHtion,  that  they  shor.hl  spare 
tlieir  prisoners  and  not  assail  defenceless  women  and  children. 
Lofran  was  killed  not  lonjr  afterwards. 

Allhonj^di  the  setUed  parts  of  the  country  wore  shielded  from 
the  dej)redations  of  th(!  Indians  ;  they  slill  continued  to  attack 
the  settlements  alontrthe  borders  of  the  lake,  from  Frenchtown 
to  Erie.  'J'hese  inroads  received  a  temporary  check,  from  a 
squadron  of  horse  under  major  IJall.  'J'his  ofliccr  was  descend- 
ing the  Sandusky  with  twenty-two  men,  when  he  was  fired 
upon  by  about  the  same  nundjer  of  Indians  in  ambuscade. 
He  charged  upon  them  ;  drove  them  from  iheir  hiding  places  ; 
and,  after  an  obstinate  contest  on  a  plain,  favourable  to  the 
operations  of  cavalry,  killed  their  chiefs,  'i'he  savages,  see- 
ing no  hope  of  escape,  contended  with  dreadful  fury  until 
their  whole  band  was  destroyed.  During  the  heat  of  the  fight, 
the  major  was  dismounted,  and  had  a  personal  conflict  with  a 
chief  of  prodigious  strength.  They  fought  with  desperation, 
until  an  oflicer  shot  the  Indian. 

We  now  return  to  the  operations  of  our  armies  on  the 
northern  frontiers  ;  where,  since  the  winter,  by  which  hostilities 
'lad  been  suspended,  events  of  a  very  important  character  had 
transpired. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


Britislt  Preparations  in  Canada— Incursion  of  Forsyth — Attack  on  Ogdensbiirgh — 
General  Pilte — Taking  of  York — Explosion  of  a  Magazine — Dcatli  of  Pike — Taking  of 
Forts  George  and  Erie — Battle  of  Stony  Creek — Capture  of  Generals  Cliandler  and 
Winder — Hritii^li  attack  t^ackett's  Harbour — repulsed  by  General  Brown — Resigna- 
tion of  General  Dearborne— Town  of  Sodus  attacked — Allair  at  Beavei  Dams — Lieu- 
tenant Eldridge — Indians  taken  into  the  American  Service— British  attack  Black 
Rock— Second  taking  of  York — British  devastate  the  Borders  of  Lake  Champlain — 
Cruise  of  Commodore  Chauncey  on  Lake  Ontario. 

During  the  winter.  Great  Britain  had  sent  a  number  of 
troops  to  Halifax,  for  the  purpose  of  being  employed,  in  the 
spring,  in  the  defence  of  Canada.  The  recent  success  of  the 
allies  on  the  continent,  had  taken  away  any  disposition  she 
might  have  had  for  a  peace,  as  was  clearly  proved  by  the  re- 


Incui 

jection  of 
disciplined 
British  gov 
ly  into  sev 
(^r  side,  di 
it  was  difll 
and  volunt 
spiritedly  c 
of  the  unii 
such  prepa 
lead  to  son' 
year  before 
Canada  ha 
selves,  as  i 
of  ex  ire  mo 
vigorous  e 
states  coul 
in  its  stren;; 
plete  comn 
Upper  Can 

A  muiUd 
rangements 
means  som 
restored, 
states,  wer 
supplies  an 
different  pc 
fairs,  nothi 

In  the  ra 
ed  in  sear( 
wanton  def 
tants.  Ma 
solved  to  r( 
such  voluni 
men  of  the 
prised  the 
among  whc: 
ants ;  and  ( 
rifles,  two  ( 
ty.     He  th 

Soon  afte 
tack  on  Ogd 
of  militia,  t( 
the  2 1st  of 
force,  so  m 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


101 


Incursion  of  Forsyth Hitark  on  Oerienshiirgh. 

jeclion  of  the  Russian  mediation.  'J'iic  militia  of  Canada  was 
disciplined  with  great  care,  and  from  the  greater  energy  of  the 
British  government,  it  was  enabled  to  bring  them  more  prompt- 
ly into  service,  and  to  retain  them  for  a  longer  term  ;  while  on 
duT  side,  during  the  past  year,  from  the  unpopularity  of  the  war, 
it  was  difficult  to  prevail  on  the  states  to  call  out  the  militia; 
and  volunteers,  by  which  the  war  to  the  westward  was  so 
spiritedly  carried  on,  came  forward,  in  the  northern  sections 
of  the  union,  in  but  small  numbers.  It  was  still  hoped  that 
such  preparatio  s  would  be  made,  during  the  winter,  as  would 
lead  to  something  of  more  importance  than  had  been  done  the 
year  before ;  although  the  golden  moment  for  the  conquest  of 
Canada  had  pa-.sed,  the  IJrilish  having  so  strengthened  them- 
selves, as  to  rrnder  the  execution  of  si;ch  a  project  a  maUer 
of  exlremo  difiiculty.  It  was  thought,  ho>«'ever,  vhat  by  one 
vigorous  effort  .nore,  particularly  if  the  spi..t  of  ihe  northern 
states  could  be  roused,  and  the  nation  be  made  to  come  forth 
in  its  strength,  something  might  yet  be  elTected.  If  the  com- 
plete command  of  the  lakes  c->uld  be  obtained,  the  whole  of 
Upper  Canada,  at  least,  must  fall  befort  winter. 

A  mutual  exchange  of  prisoners  had  taken  place,  and  ar- 
rangements were  entered  into,  to  effect  this  in  future  ;  by  which 
means  some  valuable  officers,  taken  in  t)\e  first  campaign,  were 
restored.  The  troops,  enlisted  in  the  midland  and  northern 
states,  were  marched  to  the  frontier,  and  all  the  necessary 
supplies  and  munitions  of  war  were  assiduously  collected  at  the 
different  posts  along  the  line.  Excepting  some  partizan  af- 
fairs, nothing  of  consequence  transpired  during  the  winter. 

In  the  month  of  February,  a  party  of  the  enemy,  who  cross- 
ed in  search  of  some  of  their  deserters,  committed  many 
wanton  depredations  on  the  houses  and  property  of  the  inhabi- 
tants. Major  Forsyth,  who  commanded  at  Ogdensburgh,  re- 
solved to  return  the  visit.  'I'aking  a  part  of  his  riflemen,  and 
such  volunteers  as  offered,  some  ot  whom  were  private  gentle- 
men of  the  neighbourhood,  he  crossed  the  St  Lawrence,  sur- 
prised the  guard  at  Elizabethtown,  took  fifty-two  prisoners, 
among  whom  were  one  major,  three  captains,  and  two  lieuten- 
ants ;  and  captured  one  hundred  and  twenty  muskets,  twenty 
rifles,  two  casks  of  fixed  ammunition,  and  other  public  proper- 
ty.    He  then  returned,  without  the  loss  of  a  single  man. 

Soon  after,  it  was  discovered  that  the  British  meditated  an  at- 
tack on  Ogdensburgh.  Colonel  Benedict  cahed  out  his  regiment 
of  militia,  to  aid  in  the  defence  of  the  place.  They  appeared  on 
the  2 1st  of  February,  with  twelve  hundred  men;  and  with  this 
force,  so  much  superior  to  that  of  Forsyth,  succeeded  in  expel- 


k 


102 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


(iinornl  Plka 


ling  liiin  from  the  town,  after  a  sharp  e«)iini(U.  The  Briti-sli 
attacked  in  two  cohniins,  ol  six  hmulred  men  each,  at  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  were  commanded  hy  captain 
M'Donncl,  of  the  (Tiien;:^ary  lijrht  infantry,  acori)s  trained  with 
peculiar  care,  and  colonel  Frazier,  of  the  Canada  militia.  The 
Americans  ke|)t  np  the  contest  for  an  hour,  with  the  loss  of 
twenty  men  kilhul  and  wounded  ;  anil  from  the  cool  and  de- 
liberate aim  of  the  rilhimen,  the  enemy  must  iiave  lost  twice 
that  inimhcr,  amonj^  whom  were  five  oflirers  of  distinction. 
A  lloiirish  was  made  hy  the  British  of  this  alfair  ;  and  a  message 
was  sent  with  the  ni.'ws  to  colonel  M'Feehjy,  comnianding  the 
American  jjarrison  ol"  JNiajrara,  informing  him  that  a  salute 
would  be  tired  from  Fort  (^eorge.  'J'he  American  olllcer  ex- 
pressed his  satisfaction  at  boin«  able  to  return  the  comphment, 
as  lie  iiad  just  received  intelligence  of  the  cai)lure  of  his  ma- 
jesty's frigate  .fava,  by  an  American  frigate  of  ecpial  force  ;  and 
intended  to  lire  a  salute  from  Niagara,  at  the  same  time,  in 
honour  of  this  brilliant  victory. 

Bodies  of  new  levies  were  daily  arriving  at  Sackctt's  Har- 
bour, and  the  vicinity  of  that  place.  'J'o  convert  new  recruits, 
in  the  course  of  a  lew  months,  into  cihcient  troops,  was  an 
operation  not  easily  performed.  Imkdatigable  industry  was 
displayed  in  this  essential  duty  by  Pike,  lately  promoted  to  the 
rank  of  a  brigadier,  in  consequence  of  his  meritorious  services, 
and  increasing  reputation.  Pike  was  cradled  in  the  camp  ;  his 
father,  a  revolutionary  ^ilicer,  was  still  in  the  army,  ))ut  too  far 
advanced  in  life  for  active  service,  lie  was  acquainted  with 
all  the  details  of  the  military  profession,  having  served  in 
every  grade  from  a  soldier  to  the  general.  lie  possessed  an 
ardent  mind,  and  was  aninated  by  a  desire  of  martial  glory  and 
renown  ;  but  sucli  glory  and  renown  as  were  compatible  with 
the  welfare  of  his  country.  'J'he  models  which  he  had  placed 
before  him,  were  somewhat  of  a  romantic  cast;  he  desired  to 
combine  the  courage  of  the  soldier,  and  the  ability  of  the  com- 
mander, with  those  ornaments  of  character  which  become  the 
man.  Pike  was  already  a  favourite  in  the  United  States,  and 
distinguished  as  the  adventurous  explorer  of  the  immense  Wes- 
tern desert,  traversed  in  another  direction  by  Lewis  and  Clarke. 
He  had  here  given  proofs  of  much  fortitude  of  mind,  vigour  of 
body,  and  great  prudence  and  intelligence.  His  zeal  and  activity 
were  afterwards  conspicuous,  in  the  success  with  which  he  form- 
ed the  regiment  placed  under  his  command.  He  was  beloved 
by  his  troops,  whose  aflections  he  knew  how  to  engage,  and  into 
whom  he  could  infuse  a  portion  of  his  own  generous  spirit.  It 
is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  the  progress  made  by  the 
>oops,  at  Sackett's  Harbour,  under  the  unceasing  attention  of 


this  acco 
was  wan 
to  lead  tl 

This  ( 
lake  was 
shore  wa 
the  depo 
tern  post: 
was  on  t 
the  place 
it  prove  i 
attempt  u 
and  aidec 
move  aga 

About 
fere  nee  v 
York.  I 
the  retrei 
pair  to  S; 
orders  fn 
I)eari)orn 
carry  int 
down  th( 
projected 
gested  hy 
quest,  hi 
seven  o'c 
of  destin; 
open  spai 
about  tw( 
ation  eon 
The  Briti 
dispositio 
General 
ted  above 
hundred 
dians,  bet 
fencibles. 
water's  ei 
the  reguli 
in  a  woo 
carrying 
at  the  po 
tioned. 
opened  oi 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


108 


'i'likinu  lit  ^  I 


tliis  accomplished  oHicMT,  .ilionld  be  iiini.»<u;illy  rapid.  Nothing 
was  wanliiig  but  an  opporliiiiity,  on  opcMiiiiir  of  the  campaign, 
to  lead  them  to  the  achievement  of  some  jrlorions  e.\|)loil. 

This  opportunity  was  not  lon^r  in  |)resentinj(  itself.  'J'he 
lake  was  no  sooner  clear  of  ice,  than  a  descent  on  the  Canada 
shore  was  projected.  York,  the  capital  ol'  I'pper  Canada,  was 
the  depot  of  all  the  IJrilish  military  stores,  whence  the  wes- 
tern posts  were  supjdu'd.  It  was  known  that  a  lar<j^e  vessel 
was  on  the  stocks,  and  nearly  completed.  The  importance  of 
tlic  place  to  either  parly  was  immense.  Should  an  allisck  on 
it  prove  successful,  it  mi<,dit  Ix;  lullowed  up  hy  an  immediate 
attempt  upon  Fort  Geor/^U'  ;  and  the  forces  then,  concentratin/r, 
and  aided  by  the  licet,  might,  with  every  prosj)ecl  of  success, 
move  agains',  K'ngston. 

About  the  middle  of  April,  the  commander-in-chief,  after  con- 
ference with  Pike  and  other  oll'icers,  determined  on  attacking 
York.  Major  Forsyth,  who  iiad  returned  to  Ojrdensburg  on 
the  retreat  of  the  Hriiish,  was  ordered  with  his  rillemen  to  re- 
pair to  Sacketl's  Harbour ;  and  commodore  Chauncey  received 
orders  from  the  navy  department,  to  co-operate  with  general 
Dearborne,  in  any  plan  of  operations  which  he  might  wish  to 
carry  into  execution.  On  the  25lh  of  April,  the  ileet  moved 
down  the  lake,  every  arrangement  having  been  made  for  the 
projected  attack.  Tlie  plan,  which  had  been  princij)ally  sug- 
gested by  Pike,  was  highly  judicious  ;  and,  at  his  particular  re- 
quest, he  was  entrusted  with  its  execution.  On  the  27th,  at 
seven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  Ileet  safely  reached  the  place 
of  destination.  The  spot  fixed  on  for  this  purpose  was  an 
open  space  at  the  ruins  of  Toronto,  the  former  site  of  the  fort, 
about  two  miles  above  the  present  town  of  York.  The  debark- 
ation commenced  at  eight  o'clock,  and  was  comi)leted  at  ten. 
The  British,  on  discovering  the  fleet,  hastily  made  the  necessary 
dispositions  to  oppose  the  landing  of  the  American  forces. 
Cieneral  SheafTe  advanced  from  the  garrison,  which  was  situa- 
ted above  York,  with  his  whole  force,  consisting  of  about  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  regulars  and  militia,  and  five  hundred  In- 
dians, besides  a  body  of  grenadiers,  and  a  corps  of  Glengary 
fencibles.  The  Indians  were  placed  in  the  thickets  at  the 
water's  edge,  near  the  expected  points  of  debarkation,  while 
the  regulars  were  drawn  up  on  the  bank,  and  partly  concealed 
in  a  wood.  In  pursuance  of  the  plan  of  attack,  the  batteaux 
carrying  Forsyth  and  his  riflemen,  first  moved  to  the  shore, 
at  the  point  where  the  principal  force  of  the  enemy  was  sta- 
tioned. A  galling  fire  of  musketry  and  rifles  was  instantly 
opened  on  him.     'i'o  have  gone  higher  up  would  have  deranged 


\iM 

''^t 

'|K 

f  •- 

~'l 

w 

■I 


I ! 


104 


DRACKENRIDOE'S 


Tnklnu  of  York. 


<'>  ', 


Vi 


I 


ft   u 


E,  t 


the  general  plan  ;  he  delermitied  iherelure  to  dash  at  onco  into 
the  thickest  of  the  enr-niy  ;  hut  first  ordered  the  oars  to  eeaso 
a  moment,  that  he  might  give  his  rilleiiien  un  opportunity  of 
returning  their  fire. 

Pike,  who  was  attentively  watching  this  movement,  ohserved 
the  pause,  and  not  knowing  its  reason,  instantly  leaped  into 
the  hoat  provided  f(»r  hinistjlf  and  iiis  Ktafl*,  at  the  same  time 
ordering  major  King  to  follow,  with  a  part  of  his  regiment. 
Before  he  reached  the  shore,  however,  Forsyth  had  landed, 
and  was  closely  enga<red  with  t!ie  whole  British  force.  'J'he  de- 
tachmenl  under  King,  consisting  of  the  light  artillery  under  ma- 
jor h^ustice,  a  volunteer  corps  (commanded  hy  colonel  M'Clurc, 
and  al)o;it  thirty  rillenicn  under  lieutenant  Kiddle,  now  landed; 
and  I*ike,  placing  himself  at  the  he  id  of  those  first  formed, 
ordered  the  rest  to  follow  ra[)idly  ;  then  gallarjtly  ascended  the 
bank  with  this  handful  of  n»en,  under  a  shower  of  bullets  from 
the  grenadiers.  He  charged  impetuously  upon  them  ;  they 
were  thrown  into  disorder  and  lied.  'J'his  had  scarcely  been 
achieved,  when  the  bugles  of  Forsyth  announced  thai  he  had 
also  been  victorious;  the  (ilengary  fencibles  still  kept  up  an 
irregular  lire,  but  the  Indians  had  fled.  A  fresh  body  of  grena- 
diers now  suddenly  issued  from  the  wood,  and  made  a  (lespe- 
rate  charge  on  major  King's  regiment,  which  by  this  time  was 
drawn  up  on  the  bank  :  at  first  it  faltered  ;  but  in  a  moment 
was  rallied,  relumed  to  the  charge,  and  drove  the  enemy  from 
the  field.  The  British  were  again  seen  forming  at  a  distance  ; 
but  considerable  reinforcements  having  by  this  time  landed  from 
the  fleet,  and  formed  in  column,  the  British  retreated  to  the 
garrison  below. 

The  whole  of  the  troops  having  now  landed,  they  were  formed 
in  the  order  contemplated  in  the  plan  of  attack.  The  different 
bodies  of  troops  under  majors  Lewis  and  Eustis,  and  colonels 
M'CMure  and  Ripley,  were  disposed  in  the  most  judicious 
manner,  while  Forsyth  and  his  riflemen  were  to  act  on  the 
flanks.  The  column  then  moved  forward  with  the  utmost  pre- 
cision, and  with  as  much  regr.larity  as  the  nature  of  the  ground 
would  permit,  until  they  emerged  from  the  wood,  when  a 
twenty-four  pounder  opened  upon  them  from  one  of  tlie  enemy's 
batteries.  The  battery  was  soon  cleared,  and  the  column 
moved  on  to  the  second,  which  was  abandoned  on  the  approach 
of  the  Americans,  the  enemy  retreating  to  the  garrison.  Gen- 
eral Pike  here  ordered  the  column  to  halt,  for  the  purpose  of  learn- 
ing the  strength  of  the  garrison,  and  obtaining  further  informa- 
tion: as  the  barracks  appeared  to  have  been  evacuated,  he  sus- 
pected a  stratagem,  to  draw  him  within  the  re,ach  of  some  secret 
force.     liieutenant  Riddle  was  sent  forward  to  learn  the  situa- 


Tnkinaii 

tion  of  the 
was  brave, 
dier  from  s 
of  huniani 
himself  on 
a  Serjeant, 
was  convu 
the  distanci 
up.     The  i 
of  wood,  n 
hundred  b^ 
wlii(!h  the 
suspected, 
cned  masse 
a  havock  v 
killing  and 
them  their 
troops,  tho 
soon  called 
Doodle:    tl 
the  air,  in  i 
The  wo^ 
be  mortal  ; 
"  Move  on 
cried,  addr 
obeyed 
conveyed  c 
of  the  lake 
brightened, 
sigh  was  al 
after  beinff 
brought  to 
lustre  for  a 
his  head, 
live  with  h 
chivalrous, 
is   essentia 
As  he  tern 
can  but  imj 
promise  wi 
more  refine 
found  in  th 
any  of  his 
sons  of  th( 
perly,  shou 


I 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


105 


Taking  of  York ExiiIohIoii  (if  a  Manniiliu- Df  nth  nfCvnern]  Plkr. 

lion  of  llic  (Miemy.  In  the  moainvliili',  I'ikc,  ns  liiiiiiano  as  }ie 
was  brave,  occupu'd  liiinscll'in  rcmovinjr  a  wonndcd  llritish  sol- 
dier from  a  daiiocroii ;  situation;  and  haviiii:  pcrloinicd  this  act 
of  hiinianily,  wliicli  speaks  volumes  in  his  lavoiir,  had  sealed 
himself  on  the  slump  of  a  tree,  ami  entered  into  conversation  with 
a  Serjeant,  who  had  been  taki-n  prisoner:  when  suddenly  ihe  air 
was  eonvulsed  hv  a  tremendous  explosion.  'I'he  ma'ni/ine,  at 
Ihe  distance  o(  two  hundred  yards,  near  the  barracks,  had  blown 
up.  'i'he  air  was  instantly  fdhnl  with  hn^^e  stones  ami  fra^rmcnls 
of  wood,  rent  asunder  and  whirled  alofi  by  the  explodiuij  of  live 
hundred  barrels  of  powder.  'I'liis  was  [Iw  treacherous  attai.'k 
which  the  British  had  jjrepared,  but  which  I'ike  could  mil  have 
suspected.  Immense  (luaniities  (d'  these  inllamed  and  black- 
ened masses  (ell  in  the  midst  of  the  victorious  column,  causing 
a  havock  which  the  arms  of  the  enemy  could  not  have  ellecied, 
killing  and  wounding  upwards  of  two  hundred,  and  amongst 
them  their  beloved  commander,  tlx'  heroic  Pike.  The  brave 
troops,  though  for  a  moment  confoiuided  by  the  shock,  were 
soon  called  to  their  recolleclioit  by  the  national  music,  Yankee 
Doodle:  the  column  was  instantly  clohctl  \ip;  and  they  rent 
liie  air,  in  their  turn,  with  three  loud  huzzas! 

The  wound  of  Pike,  a  severe  contusion,  was  soon  found  to 
be  mortal  ;  he  still,  however,  presiirvcd  his  undaunted  spirit : 
'•  Move  on  my  brave  fellows,  and  revenge  your  general,"  he 
cried,  addressing  them  for  the  last  time.  'I'liis  ihey  instantly 
obeyed.  lie  was  then  taken  up  by  some  of  his  men,  to  be 
conveyed  on  board  the  ship;  scarcely  had  he  reached  the  shore 
of  the  lake,  when  a  loud  and  victorious  shout  from  his  brigade 
brightened,  for  a  moment,  the  expiring  lamp  of  life  ;  a  faint 
sigh  was  all  his  strength  would  permit  him  to  express.  Shordy 
after  being  carried  on  board  tlie  Pert,  the  Hrilish  flag  was 
brought  to  him  ;  at  the  sight  of  it,  his  eye  again  resumed  its 
lustre  for  a  moment,  and  making  signs  for  it  to  be  placed  under 
his  head,  he  gloriously  expired.  Thus  fell  a  warrior  who  \v'\\[ 
live  with  honour  in  tlie  page  of  history.  IJrave,  prudent  and 
chivalrous,  he  was  adorned  with  that  moral  excellence  which 
is  essential  to  the  accomj)lished  soldier  and  the  real  hero. 
As  he  terminated  his  career  in  the  very  day-spring  of  life,  we 
can  but  imperfectly  estimate  what  the  ripened  age  of  so  much 
promise  would  have  brought  forth.  No  ollicer  entertained  a 
more  refined  sense  of  honour.Tble  warfare  ;  a  proof  of  it  is  to  be 
found  in  the  orders  which  he  gave  on  this  memorable  day,  that 
any  of  his  soldiers  who  should  molest  the  possessions  or  per- 
sons of  the  inhabitants,  or  wantonly  destroy  the  public  pro 
perly,  should  suffer  instant  death. 


106 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


•■'■1 


JVI 


r^..i^ 


^4 


Taking  of  York. 


On  the  fall  of  general  Pike,  the  command  devolved  on 
colonel  Pearce,  who  advanced  to  the  barracks,  which  he  found 
already  in  the  possession  of  Forsyth  ;  the  enemy  having  re- 
treated to  the  fort.  No  one  now  being  acquainted  with  the  fur- 
ther execution  of  the  plan  of  attack,  the  enemy  was  not  imme- 
diately pursued  ;  otherwise  the  whole  of  ihe  regulars  and  public 
stores  must  have  fallen  into  our  hands.  Tlie  America!. s,  after 
halting  a  short  time,  moved  on  towards  the  town  ;  and  on  draw- 
ing near  it  were  met  by  oflicers  of  ihe  (Canada  militia,  with  offers 
of  capitulation.  This  produced  some  delay  ;  but  it  being  sus- 
pected that  it  was  only  intended  to  facilitate  the  escape  of 
general  Sheafie  and  the  principal  part  of  his  regulars,  and  to 
gain  time  wliile  they  could  destroy  the  military  stores,  and 
burn  the  vessel  on  the  stocks,  Forsyth  and  Ripley  pushed 
forward,  and  were  soon  after  followed  by  Pearce.  The  strictest 
observance  of  Pike's  order,  wiih  respect  to  the  treatment  of  the 
inhabitants  and  tlieir  property,  was  enjoined.  At  four  o'clock 
the  Americans  were  masters  of  the  town.  Although  with  jus- 
tice they  might  he  nnraged  at  the  conduct  of  the  British, 
for  their  barbarous  and  unmanly  attempt  to  destroy  them 
by  a  mine,  the  troops  conducted  themselves  with  the  most  per- 
fect order  and  forbjarance;  perhaps  considering  this  the  best 
testimonial  of  respect  for  their  brave  leader.  The  stipulations 
of  surrender  were  entered  into  with  colonel  Pearce,  at  the  very 
moment  the  British  were  engaged  in  the  destruction  of  the  pub- 
lic property.  By  the  terms  of  the  stipulation,  the  troops, 
regukrrs  and  militia,  naval  officers  and  seamen,  were  surrendered 
prisoners  of  war;  all  the  public  stores  were  given  up,  and  all 
private  property  was  to  be  guarantied  to  the  citizens  of  York ; 
every  thing  relating  to  the  civil  departments  was  to  be  respected  i 
and  the  surgeons,  attending  on  the  wounded,  were  not  to  be  con- 
sidered as  prisoners  of  war. 

It  is  gratifying  to  reflect  that  the  deportment  of  tlie  victors, 
on  this  occasion,  was  such  as  to  extort  praise  even  from  the 
vanquished.  So  far  from  inflicting  any  injury  on  the  inhabi- 
tants, a  considerable  portion  of  the  public  stores,  which  could 
noi  easily  be  transported,  were  distributed  among  them,  and 
they  expressed  themselves  highly  satisfied  M'ilh  the  conduct  of 
the  Americans.  'lUe  principal  civil  officers  of  the  place  ad- 
dressed a  letter  of  thanks  to  general  Dearborne,  for  the  strict 
regard  which  was  manifested  by  the  troops  under  hiscommand, 
for  the  safety  of  the  persons  and  property  of  the  inhabitants. 

The  commander-in-chief  landed  soon  sfier  the  fall  of  Pike, 
but  did  not  assume  the  immediate  command  until  after  the  sur- 
render of  the  town. 


Great 

co-opera 

The  ves 

pelled  to 

and  und 

effected, 

tributed 

three  we 

shipmen 

'J'he  1( 

explosioi 

to  three 

merit  we 

the  gene 

the  first  i 

tenant  Bl 

praise  w; 

third  reg 

explosion 

with  the 

Young,  V 

Baltimore 

Lieulenai 

the  most  < 

There 

one  majoi 

one  depu 

dred  and 

and  it  wa 

command! 

have  been 

dure  on  ti; 

as  in  the 

fairly   sur 

attributed 

mentioned 

been  kille 

officers,  w 

it  was  des 

and  the  m: 

the  enemy 

possible ; 

purposely  ] 

rican  troop 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


107 


ved  on 
e  found 
ing   re- 
ihe  fur- 
,  imme- 
1  public 
.s,  after 
n  draw- 
h  offers 
ing  sus- 
cape  of 
,  and  to 
res,  and 
pushed 
strictest 
nof  the 
■  o'clock 
nth  jus- 
Biitish, 
[)y  them 
nost  per- 
the  best 
ulations 
the  very 
the  pub- 
troops, 
rendered 
and  all 
f  York ; 
spectedi 
0  be  con- 
victors, 
from  the 
inhabi- 
|ch  could 
lem,  and 
induct  of 
ilace  ad- 
ihe  strict 
immand, 
litants. 
|of  Pike, 
the  sur- 


TakinB  of  York. 


Great  assistunoe  was  rendered  during  the  engagement  by  the 
co-operation  of  commodore  Chauncey,  after  landing  the  troops. 
The  vessels,  in  consequence  of  a  contrary  wind,  ^'  "re  com- 
pelled to  beat  up  to  their  several  positions  with  grea  JjfTiculty, 
and  under  a  heavy  iire  from  the  batteries.  When  this  was 
effected,  they  opened  a  galling  and  destructive  fire,  which  con- 
tributed much  to  the  success  of  the  attack.  In  the  squadron, 
three  were  killed  and  eleven  wounded  ;  among  the  first,  mid- 
shipmen Thompson  and  llatlield,  both  much  regretted. 

'rhe  loss  on  the  American  side  was  inconsiderable  until  the 
explosion  of  the  "  infernal  machine,"  which  caused  it  to  amount 
to  three  hundred  in  killed  and  wounded.  Several  oflicers  of 
merit  were  killed  or  wounded  by  the  explosion.  The  aids  of 
the  general,  captains  Nicholson  and  Frazier,  were  wounded; 
the  first  mortally:  also,  captain  livon,  captain  Hoppock,  lieu- 
tenant Bloomfield,  and  many  other  valuable  officers.  Much 
praise  was  bestowed  on  lieutenant-colonel  Mitchell,  of  the 
third  regiment  of  artillery:  he  formed  the  column  after  the 
explosion,  and  throujihout  the  whole  of  the  affair  behaved 
with  the  greatest  gallantry.  Major  Eustis;  captains  Scott, 
Young,  Walworth,  M'Glassin,  and  Stephen  II.  Moore  of  the 
Baltimore  volunteers,  who  lost  a  log  by  the  explosion  ;  and 
Lieutenants  Irvine,  Fanning  and  Riddle,  were  named  among 
the  most  distinguished  of  the  day. 

There  were  taken  from  the  British,  one  lieutenant-colonel, 
one  major,  thirteen  captains,  nine  lieutenants,  eleven  ensigns, 
one  deputy  adjutant-general,  four  naval  oflicers,  and  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty-one  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates ; 
and  it  was  contended,  that  according  to  the  capitulation,  the 
commanding  general,  his  staff,  and  all  his  regulars,  ought  to 
have  been  surrendered.  There  was  certainly  an  unfair  proce- 
dure on  the  part  of  the  British  general,  as  well  in  this  business, 
as  in  the  destruction  of  the  public  property  afler  it  had  been 
fairly  surrendered.  With  respect  to  the  explosion,  it  was 
attributed  by  general  Sheaffe  to  accident;  and  as  a  proof,  he 
mentioned  the  circumstance  of  forty  of  his  own  men  having 
been  killed  and  wounded  in  the  retreat.  But  the  American 
officers,  who  witnessed  the  affair,  were  perfectly  satisfied  that 
it  was  designed.  Afler  the  confiict  had  ceased  for  some  time, 
and  the  magazine  and  barracks  had  been  entirely  abandoned  by 
the  enemy,  the  occurrence  of  such  an  accident  was  almost  im- 
possible ;  ami  leads  to  the  conviction,  that  a  match  had  Iieen 
purposely  laid,  intended  to  explode  on  the  approach  of  the  Ame- 
rican troops ;  which,  but  for  the  fortunate  precaution  of  their 


■:  ■ 

i¥    ^i 

♦ 

1:1 

* 

:; 

Ml 

3f  :■.     6 


'      '»! 


108 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Taking  of  York Tukiiif;  of  Forta  George  and  Erie. 


1^.  »: 


comniniuler,  woukl  have  involved  them  in  one  general  destruc- 
lion.  It  if?  unjust,  on  light  grounds,  to  impute  to  the  British  gene- 
ral, conduct  so  dishonourable  ;  and  but  for  the  circumstances  we 
have  mentioned,  it  might  be  regarded  as  the  unauthorized  act  of 
some  base  individual.  The  factofa  partof  hisown  column  hav- 
ing been  overtaken  by  stones  propelled  to  an  immense  distance, 
lias  no  weight  in  his  excu-ljiation  :  this  may  liave  proceeded 
from  his  not  having  calculated  with  sullicient  accuracy  for  their 
own  safety,  aUhough  nothing  could  have  been  better  timed  for 
the  complete  destruction  of  our  gallant  countrymen.  Had  the 
explosion  taken  j)lace  in  the  midst  of  the  fight,  there  might 
then  be  room  lor  sup[)osition  that  it  was  the  result  of  accident ; 
but,  under  the  circumstances,  that  this  should  liave  been  the 
case,  appears  next  to  impossible.  The  loss  of  the  British, 
amounted  to  seven  hundred  and  fifty  men  in  killed,  wounded 
and  {)risoners  :  of  these,  the  killed  and  wounded  were  not 
less  than  two  hundred;  the  prisoners  amounted  to  lifty  regulars, 
and  live  hundred  militia.  Property  to  an  immense  amount 
was  destroyed,  and  there  still  remained  to  the  value  of  at  least 
half  a  million  of  dollars  :  in  his  hasty  retreat,  general  Sliealle 
abandoned  his  baggage,  containing  all  his  books  and  papers, 
which  proved  a  valuable  accjuisition.  Upon  the  whole,  the 
capture  of  York  was  a  brilliant  achievement,  and  worthy  of 
Pike,  its  projector.  It  was  the  first  dawn  of  that  military  dis- 
tinction, to  which  we  afterwarrls  so  rapidly  attained  under  the 
gallant  odicers,  whom  the  school  of  experience  had  fashioned. 

The  object  of  this  expeflilion  being  now  fully  attained,  the 
American  forces  evacuated  York  on  the  1st  of  May,  and  re-em- 
barked. The  lleet,  however,  did  not  leave  the  harbour  until 
the  8lh.  A  schooner  had  in  the  meantime  been  despatched 
to  Niagara,  to  inform  general  Lewis  of  the  success  of  the  ex- 
pedition, and  of  the  intended  movements  of  the  troops. 

'J'he  next  thing  to  be  undertaken,  was  the  attack  of  Fort 
George  and  Fort  Erie,  which  had  been  unsuccessfully  attempted 
the  year  befcu-e.  Commodore  C'hauncey  having  the  command 
of  the  lake,  forces  could  be  transported  to  any  part  with  facility. 
On  the  evening  of  the  8th,  the  troops  were  landed  at  Four 
Mile  creek,  so  called,  fiom  being  four  miles  distant  from 
Niagara.  The  next  day,  two  schooners,  under  the  command 
of  lieutenant  Pelligrew,  sailed  with  a  detachment  of  one  hun- 
dred men,  commanded  by  captain  Morgan  of  the  Twelfth,  for  the 
purpose  of  destroying  some  of  the  enemy's  stores  at  the  head 
of  the  lake.  On  their  approach,  the  guard,  about  eighty  men, 
retired;  the  public  buildings  were  burnt,  and  the  party  returned 


with  the 
dore  C'h: 
leaving 

additions 
sailed  oi 
watch  th( 
arrived  s 
colonel  i> 
ber  of  gi 
Arraujt 
enterpris 
having,  o 
tained    th 
smaller  v 
the  attacl 
which  ha 
afternoon 
ed  upon  t 
nearly  op 
tiie  forts  ! 
which  the 
appeared 
rican  l)at 
halliards 
every  dcs 
the  loss 
the  boats 
Four  Mil 
was  put  o 
Lake  :   th 
Heet.     At 
weigh  ;   b 
schooner; 
stations. 
Governor 
each  with 
to  attack 
forces, 
about  foui 
and  Lewii 
my's  battc 
three  l)riii 
oflicer  col 
this  place 
riilenien, 

K 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


109 


Taking  of  Forts  George  and  Erie. 


with  the  greater  portion  of  the  property.  On  the  10th,  commo- 
dore C'hauncey  sailed  to  Sacketi's  Harbour,  for  the  purpose  of 
leaving  the  wounded  men  and  onirers,  and  of  bringing  such 
additional  force  as  couUl  be  spared  iVoni  that  place.  He  again 
sailed  on  the  22d,  leaving  the  Pert  and  the  Fair  American  to 
watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy,  'i'wo  days  afterwards  he 
arrived  safely  at  Niagara,  with  three  hundred  and  lifty  men  of 
colonel  Macomb's  regiment  of  artillery,  and  an  additional  num- 
ber of  guns. 

Arrangements  were  now  made  for  carrying  the  contemplated 
enterprise  into  immediate  execution.  Commodore  Chauncey 
having,  on  the  2Gih,  reconnoitered  the  opposite  shore,  and  ascer- 
tained the  best  places  lor  landing,  and  the  stations  for  the 
smaller  vessels  to  occupy;  the  next  morning  was  fixeil  upon  for 
the  attack.  A  number  of  boats  were  maiie  ready;  and  others, 
which  had  been  buikling  for  the  occasion,  were  launched  in  the 
afternoon  ;  this  being  observed  Ijy  the  enemy,  a  lire  was  open- 
ed upon  the  workmen,  from  a  battery,  erecUed  for  the  purpose, 
nearly  opposite.  This  brought  on  a  severe  cannonade  from 
the  forts  and  batteries,  which  continued  for  some  hours,  and  in 
which  the  Americans  hail  the  decided  advantage.  Fort  George 
1  appeared  to  sutler  considerable  injury.    The  guns  of  the  Ame- 

rican battery  wei'e  directed  with  so  much  precision,  that  the 
halliards  of  the  flag-staff  were  shot  away;  and  the  buiklings  of 
every  descrij)tion  around  the  fort  were  much  damaged  :  while 
the  loss  on  the  American  side  was  very  inconsiderable.  All 
the  boats  in  the  meanwhile  passed  safely  to  the  encampment  at 
Four  Mile  creek  :  and  as  soon  as  it  gi-ew  dark,  the  artillery 
was  put  on  board  the  Madison,  the  Oneida,  and  the  Lady  of  the 
Lake:  the  ti-oops  were  to  embark  in  the  boats  and  follow  the 
fleet.  At  three  o'clock  in  the  morniiiir,  signal  was  made  to 
weigh  ;  but  in  consequence  of  the  calm  which  pievailed,  the 
schooners  were  obliged  to  resort  to  sweeps  to  gain  their 
stations.  'I'hese  consisted  of  the  .Tulia,  Growler,  Ontario, 
Governor  Tompkins,  Conquest,  Hamilton,  Asp,  and  Scoui'ge ; 
each  within  musket  shot  of  the  sliore,  and  skilfully  disposed 
to  attack  the  diflerent  batteries,  and  cover  the  landing  of  our 
forces.  Tiie  troops  had  now  all  endiarked,  and  amounted  to 
about  four  thousand  men  ;  and  at  daybreak,  generals  Dearborne 
and  Lewis,  and  suits,  went  on  board  the  Madison.  'J'he  ene- 
my's batteries  immediately  opened,  as  the  troops  advanced  ia 
three  brigades.  'I'he  advance  was  led  by  that  accomplished 
ofllcer  colonel  Scott,  who  had  so  much  signalized  himself  in 
this  place  the  year  before  ;  and  was  composed  of  Foisyth's 
riflemen,  and  detachments  from  various  infantry  regiments  :   it 


%\ 


m 


I 


'■  :^ij 

'<'    )mi 

■   m 

i'i 


m 


iM 


m  I 


^';^       IB 


(     J  ■  ■■• 


no 


BRACKENRIDGirS 


Tiikiim  of  Forts  Georpc  and  Erif. 


landed  near  the  fort,  whicli  liad  been  silenced  by  the  Governor 
Tompkins.  General  Hoyd,  to  whom  the  brigade  lately  com- 
manded by  general  Pike  had  been  assigned,  formed  the  first 
line,  wiiich  was  Hanked  by  the  Baltimore  and  Albany  volun- 
teers under  colonel  M'Clure.  He  reached  the  shore  immedi- 
ately after  the  advance  had  landed.  General  Winder  followed, 
at  the  head  of  the  second  brigade  ;  and  was  closely  succeeded 
by  the  third,  unds^r  general  Chandler.  The  wind  suddenly 
springing;  iip  from  the  east,  and  producing  a  consiilerable 
swell,  tlie  troops  from  the  Madison  and  Oneida  could  rut 
reacii  shore  until  the  second  and  third  brigades  had  advanced  ; 
Macomb's  regiment,  and  the  marines  under  captain  Smith, 
therefore,  did  not  land  until  the  debarkation  had  been  com- 
pleted. 

The  advance  under  Scott,  consisting  of  five  hundred  men, 
had  been  exposed,  on  its  approach  to  the  shore,  to  an  incessant 
volley  of  musketry,  from  at  least  twelve  hundred  regulars,  sta- 
tioned in  a  ravine.  This  spirited  corps,  i  imposed  of  the  ilower 
of  the  army,  moved  on  without  faltering,  and  briskly  returned 
the  fire  from  the  boats.  As  they  drew  near  the  shore,  a  sur- 
prising degree  of  emulation  manifested  itself  both  amongst 
officers  and  soldiers  ;  many  of  them  leaping  into  the  lake,  and 
wading  to  land.  Captain  Hindman,  an  accomplished  young 
officer  of  the  second  artillery,  was  the  first  on  the  enemy's  ter- 
ritory. No  sooner  were  the  troops  formed  on  the  beach,  than 
they  were  led  to  the  charge,  and  instantly  dispersed  the  enemy 
in  every  direction  ;  some  fiying  to  the  woods  for  shelter,  and 
others  seeking  refuge  in  the  fort.  The  first  were  briskly  as- 
sailed by  Forsyth  ;  while  the  advanced  corps  and  the  first  bri- 
gade, under  general  Boyd,  vigorously  attacked  the  latter.  The 
prevailing  panic  iiad  seized  the  garrison,  which  made  but  a 
feeble  resistance.  Fort  Niagara,  and  the  batteries  on  the  Ame- 
rican side,  opened  at  the  same  time;  and  Fort  George  having 
become  untenable,  the  British  laid  trains  to  their  magazines, 
abandoned  all  their  works,  and  retreated  with  the  utmost  pre- 
cipitation by  difierent  routes.  Colonel  Scott  and  his  light 
troops  followed  closely  in  their  rear,  when  he  was  recalled  by 
general  Boyd.  Lieutenant  Riddle,  with  his  party,  not  receiv- 
ing the  order,  pursued  the  enemy  almost  to  Queenstown,  and 
picked  up  a  number  of  strncfglcrs.  The  light  troops  took  pos- 
session of  Fort  George ;  captains  Hindman  and  Stockton  en- 
tering first,  and  extinguishing  the  fire  intended  to  explode  the 
magazine.  The  former  withdrew  a  match  at  the  imminent  haz- 
ard of  his  life.  General  Boyd  and  colonel  Scott  mounted  the 
parapet  for  the  purpose  of  cuning  away  the  stafT;    but  Hind- 


man  succc 

ral  Dearb 

hoisted ;  ; 

o'clock  tl 

from  Fori 

possessioi 

such  rapit 

to  be  see 

arms,  wer 

of  the  Bri 

the  contci 

hundred  a 

who  fell 

fifteen  reg 

The   loss 

hundred  a 

Hobart  of 

the  Thirte 

Sixteenth, 

the  year  I; 

to  the  ran 

and  lieutei 

British  re^ 

mander,  cc 

tion,  notu 

inferior  nu 

having  be 

the  fort,  tl 

the  fleet  s( 

fore,  made 

a  place  of 

High  pr 

Dearborne 

Scott  and  1 

in-chief  al 

Porter,  of 

regiment  ( 

for  their  si 

We  here  fi 

lenant-com 

assistance 

service  in 

Much  of  tl 

to  thejudic 

diffe'-'^nt  hi 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Ill 


Takinjr  of  Forts  George  .nnd  Krit;, 


man  succeeded  in  taking  the  Hag,  which  lie  lorwarded  to  gene- 
ral Dearborne.  The  American  ensign  was  then  immediately 
hoisted;  and  t!ie  troops  ordered  in  and  <iiiartered.  At  twelve 
o'clock  tlie  whole  of  the  British  fortifications  on  this  shore, 
from  Fort  George  to  x^ort  Erie  inclusive,  were  in  the  quiet 
possession  of  the  Americans.  The  enemy  had  moved  off  with 
such  rapidity,  that  in  a  short  time  nothing  uiore  of  them  was 
to  be  seen  ;  and  our  troops,  having  been  eleven  hours  under 
arms,  were  too  much  fatigued  to  pursue  thtm  far.  'J'he  loss 
of  the  British  in  this  affair,  considering  the  time  during  which 
the  contest  lasted,  was  very  considerable.  There  were  one 
hundred  and  eiwht  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  sixlv  wounded, 
who  fell  into  our  hands  ;  besides  which,  one  hundred  and 
fifteen  regulars,  and  five  hundred  militia,  were  taken  prisoners. 
The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  thirty-nine  killed,  and  one 
hundred  and  eight  wounded  :  amonir  the  former,  lieutenant 
Hobart  of  the  light  artillery ;  and  of  the  latter,  major  King  of 
the  Thirteenth,  captains  Arrowsmith  of  the  Sixth,  Steel  of  the 
Sixteenth,  Roach  of  the  Twenty-third  (who had  been  wounded 
the  year  before  at  the  heights  of  Queenstown,  and  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  captain  for  Jiis  good  conduct  on  that  occasion), 
and  lieutenant  Swearingen  of  the  rille  corps.  The  Forty-ninth 
British  regiment,  the  Invincibles,  was  in  this  atlair,  and  its  com- 
mander, colonel  Myers,  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  Tlie  ac- 
tion, notwithstanding,  was  fought  on  the  American  side  with 
inferior  numbers;  the  advance,  and  part  of  Boyd's  brigade  only 
having  been  actually  engaged.  Shortly  after  the  surrender  of 
the  fort,  the  lake  became  so  rough  as  to  render  the  situation  of 
the  fleet  somewhat  dangerous.  Commodore  Chauncey,  there- 
fore, made  signal  to  weigh  ;  and  proceeding  np  the  river,  chose 
a  place  of  safety  between  the  two  forts,  where  he  anchored. 

High  praise  was  given,  both  by  tiie  commodore  and  general 
Dearborne,  to  the  forces  under  their  respective  commands. 
Scott  and  Boyd  were  particularly  mentioned.  'J'he  commander- 
in-chief  also  acknowledfjcd  himself  much  indebted  to  colonel 
Porter,  of  the  light  artillery,  to  major  Armistead,  of  the  Third 
regiment  of  artillery,  and  to  captain  Totten  of  the  engineers, 
for  their  skill  in  demolishing  the  enemy's  forts  and  batteries. 
We  here  And  the  first  mention  of  the  hero  of  Lake  Erie,  lieu- 
tenant-commandant Oliver  II.  Perry,  who  had  volunteered  his 
assistance  on  the  night  of  the  20th,  and  had  rendered  good 
service  in  the  arrangement  and  debarkation  of  the  troops. 
Much  of  the  success  of  this  gallant  enterprise  was  attributable 
to  the  judicious  plan  of  commodore  Chauncey,  in  attacking  the 
diffe«''^ut  batteries  of  the  enemy  with  his  vessels,  and  rendering 


o«F    fia 


112 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Battle  of  Stony  Creek. 


II' 

r 


tlicm  iiiitcnahle.  (iciicnil  DearhcMiio  had  been  much  ihdis- 
posed  ;  hut  lie  refused  tu  yicM  ihe  comniaiul  of  the  expedition, 
aiul  i.s>>iied  his  onhirs  from  his  hed. 

Jiiciiieiiant  l*erry  was  despatched,  the  day  after  the  battle, 
to  HhicU  Rock,  Willi  filty  men,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  rtve 
vessels  to  Erie  as  soon  as  [)ossil)le,  and  also  of  preparinj^  the 
squadron  at  that  *  lace,  lo  commence  operations,  in  conjunction 
with  jreneral  Ilarn-  »n,  by  the  15ih  of  Jiuie. 

A  lew  days  afieru'anls,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy, 
under  j^'eneral  Vincent,  iiad  retired  to  the  Heaver  Dams,  and 
formed  a  jvinciion  with  the  command  of  lieutenant-colonel 
Bishop  from  Tort  Erie  and  Chii)p('wa.  The  day  after  this 
was  elfeeted,  the  British  j^eneral  retreated  hastily  to  the  upper 
end  of  Lalie  Ontario,  and  took  a  position  on  the  heij^hts  at  the 
head  of  liurliriiton  Hay.  His  force,  it  \vas  supposed,  did  not 
exceeil  a  thousand  men.  lieneral  Winder,  at  his  request,  was 
dctacfied,  by  the  commander-in-chief,  in  pursuit,  with  h»s 
brij^ade.  Ilavini^  reached  Twenty  Mile  crt!ek,  on  the  second 
day's  march,  the  oener.d  received  information,  that  the  enemy 
had  been  reinforcj'd  by  several  hundred  men  from  Ki.;t/ston; 
that  his  force,  be^i(les  Iiulians,  and  a  lew  militia,  might 
amount  to  iifteeii  hundred  men  :  he,  in  consequence,  thought 
it  prudent  to  despatch  an  oHi"er  to  general  Dearborne  for  an 
additional  force  ;  that  under  Ins  coiiimand  not  exceedinj;  twelve 
hundred  infantry,  exclusive  of  the  dragoons  under  colonel 
Burns,  ai^l.  Towst)ir3  ariilh  ry.  He  nevertheless  continued  his 
march  to  Forty  Mile  creek,  where,  selecting  a  good  position, 
he  proposed  to  waii  for  the  expected  reinforcement.  This, 
consisting  of  Chandler's  brigade,  in  a  short  time  arrived,  after 
a  rapid  march ;  when  jjeneral  Chandler,  being  the  senior  oflicer, 
assiuned  the  command. 

On  the  same  day,  the  united  force  proceeded  to  a  rivulet 
called  Stony  Creek,  where  they  encamped,  having  in  the 
course  of  the  afternoon  skirmished  with,  and  driven  back  the 
advance  parties  of  the  enemy.  In  order  to  secure  the  baggage 
of  the  army,  which  had  been  conveyed  in  hatteaux  along 
the  lake  siiore,  colonels  Christie  and  Boerstler,  with  their 
respective  regiments,  the  Thirteenth  and  Fourteenth,  were 
detached,  to  take  a  position  at  the  distance  of  two  miles  from 
the  main  body,  on  the  neck  of  land  which  divides  the  lake 
from  Burlington  Bay,  and  on  the  road  from  Fort  George  to 
York  and  Kingston.  Tlie  distance  of  the  main  body  of  the 
British  was  about  eight  miles. 

The  ground  occupied  by  general  Chandler  was  a  high  hank 
on  Stony  Creek  :  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  stream  there  was 


a  small  me 

mediatel"! 

Fifth,  asm 

of  the  Sixl 

the  left.    \ 

attack,  the 

while,  at  tl 

facility  be 

high  b*n;k 

son  and  1a 

last  mentic 

direction  o 

wer&  place 

A  guard  of 

mile  in  adv 

respects  tin 

The  situ 

contend  'op< 

out  of  ihe  ( 

by  marchii 

Detroit,  an( 

of  a  night 

supplies,  w 

therefore,  r 

could  not  h: 

rals ;  and  th 

the    ultimat 

British  wou 

consequenc( 

it  would  no 

communicat 

Until  late 

occupied  the 

where  they 

towards  mid 

them  on  the 

nigh  proved 

the  main  gu 

lently  bayon 

lumn  of  seve 

must  have  1 

On  approacl] 

had  not  yet 

Indian  yell, 

whom   they 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


113 


r.<«ttle  of  Stttny  Creek. 


a  sinnll  meadow,  and  the  bank  was  much  lower.  He  halted  im- 
mediate!;'on  the  road,  as  the  centre  of  his  encampment.  The 
Fifth,  a  small  detachment  of  the  Twenty-third,  and  one  company 
of  the  Sixteenth  infantry,  occiipie*'  a  height,  a  short  distance  to 
the  left.  The  object  of  this  was  to  prevent,  in  case  of  a  night 
attack,  the  occupation  of  ground  which  commanded  the  road ; 
while,  at  the  same  time,  the  troopj  stationed  there  could  with 
facility  be  wheeled  into  line  with  the  Twenty-fifth,  along  the 
higli  bniik  of  the  creek.  'J'he  light  artillery  of  captains  Tow- 
son  and  liConard,  were  posted  immediately  to  the  right  of  the 
last  mentioned  regiment,  so  as  to  command  the  road  in  the 
direction  of  the  enemy.  The  cavalry,  under  colonel  Burns, 
were  placed  in  the  rear,  to  be  ready  at  a  moment's  warning. 
A  guard  of  eighty  or  a  hundred  men  was  posted  a  quarte»"  of  a 
mile  in  advance,  at  a  wooden  chapel  on  the  road  side.  In  other 
respects  the  usual  precautious  were  taken. 

The  situation  of  the  British  army  was  almost  hopeless.  To 
contend  openly  with  the  superior  forte  of  the  Americans,  was 
out  of  ihe  question.  No  possibility  of  escape  remained  but 
by  marching  through  the  tliinly  inhabited  country  towards 
Detroit,  and  joining  general  Proctor;  or  attempting  the  fortune 
of  a  night  attack.  The  first,  in  their  present  deficiency  of 
supplies,  was  considered  almost  impracticable:  the  latter  was, 
therefore,  resolved  upon,  'i'he  existence  of  this  alternative 
could  not  have  escaped  the  penetration  of  the  American  gene- 
rals ;  and  therefore  the  necessity  of  the  utmost  precaution.  To 
the  ultimate  character  of  the  campaign,  the  capture  of  the 
British  would  be  of  the  greatest  importance :  as  the  necessary 
consequence,  the  contest  to  the  westward  would  terminate,  for 
it  would  no  longer  be  possible  for  Proctor  to  hold  out,  after  his 
communication  with  the  lower  provinces  had  been  cut  ofT. 

Until  late  in  the  evening,  the  soldiers  of  the  Twenty-fifth  had 
occupied  the  meadow  ground  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek, 
where  they  had  kindled  fires  for  the  i)urpose  of  cooking;  but 
towards  midnight  they  were  withdrawn  to  the  position  assigned 
them  on  the  brow  of  the  high  bank.  This  precaution  had  well 
nigh  proved  fruitless,  from  the  negligence  and  misconduct  of 
the  main  guard.  Several  of  the  sentinels  in  advance  were  si- 
lently bayoneted  by  the  enemy,  who  unmolosted  pushed  a  co- 
lumn of  seven  or  eight  hundred  men  past  the  chapel :  our  guard 
must  have  been  buried  in  sleep,  since  not  a  shot  was  fired. 
On  approaching  the  fires  made  by  the  Twenty-fifth,  and  which 
had  not  yet  been  extinguished,  the  enemy  raised  a  tremendous 
Indian  yell,  expecting  no  doubt  to  bayonet  the  Americans, 
whom    they  supposed  to  be  asleep  a  few  paces  from  thera. 

K* 


i, 


n 


114 


BRACKENRTDGE'S 


Battle  of  Stony  Cr  ok. 


.Capture  of  Oenernis  Chandler  and  Winder. 


This  yell  was  niopt  fortunate  for  the  Americans,  who  were 
instantly  roused  on  the  opposite  l>ank.  'JMie  Twenty-fiftli 
liad  lain  on  their  arms,  and  in.^tantly  commenced  a  heavy  lire 
on  the  liriiish,  who  were  revealed  by  tiie  tires  whicli  had  de- 
luded them.  General  Winder,  who  commanded  the  troops  on 
the  left  of  the  road,  succeeded  in  a  few  moments  in  stationing 
the  greater  part  of  tiiem  on  the  eilge  of  the  creek,  to  the  left 
of  the  artillery,  and  joined  his  lire  with  that  of  the  'i'wenty- 
fifth,  which  was  by  this  time  returned  by  the  enemy,  though 
witli  little  eflect.  In  twenty  minutes  the  liring  on  the  part  of 
the  British  ceased  ;  and  as  th(!y  hatl  l)ecome  invisil)le  after  pass- 
ing the  lires,  the  nigiil  being  excessively  dark,  it  was  uncertain 
wliether  they  had  retired,  or  meant  under  cover  of  the  dark- 
ness, to  charge  with  the  bayonet.  The  firing  on  tlie  part  of  the 
Americans  was  ordered  to  cease ;  and  arrangements  were  rapidly 
made  to  repel  an  attack.  At  this  uKunent  some  shots  in  the 
rear  of  the  army  indu.ccd  the  g(!neral,  who  was  apprehensive 
that  an  attemjit  might  also  he  made  in  tliat  quarter,  to  order 
one  of  the  regimenl.i  to  face  about,  and  take  such  a  position, 
as  would  enable  him  to  meet  it,  whether  made  on  Hank  or  rear. 
"W  hilst  general  (Jliandler  was  directing  these  movements  on  the 
right,  his  horse  fell  under  him.  After  recovering  somewhat 
from  the  fall,  which  had  stunned  him,  he  attempted  to  walk 
towards  tlie  centre,  near  the  artillery,  where  he  and  general 
Winder  had  met  from  time  to  time,  to  receive  and  communicate 
information  and  orders.  In  the  meantime,  favoured  by  the 
excessive  darkness,  which  had  been  increased  by  the  smoke,  the 
enemy  stole  along  the  road  unperceived ;  and  mingling  with 
the  American  artillerists,  drove  them  from  their  pieces.  At  the 
same  moment  general  Chandler,  being  surrounded  by  them,  was 
taken  prisoner. 

General  Winder,  in  returning  from  maintaining  the  disposi- 
tions on  the  left,  m(;l  witli  a  part  of  the  Sixteentli,  which  had 
either  never  readied  its  position,  or  had  fallen  back;  and  was 
posting  it  to  protect  the  artillery  :  when,  discovering  some  con- 
fusion there,  he  rushed  forward  to  ascertain  the  cause,  and  was 
made  prisoner  in  attempting  to  turn  back  what  he  supposed  to 
be  the  American  artillerists.  The  British  finding  two  pieces 
limbered,  drove  them  olf,  overturned  one  or  two  more,  and  then 
retreated  with  precipitation  and  disorder.  Before  clear  day- 
light they  had  covered  themselves  from  the  view  of  the  Ameri- 
cans by  a  wood.  General  Vincent,  the  British  commander,  was 
thrown  from  his  horse,  and  did  not  rejoin  his  troops  until  even- 
ing, almost  exhausted  with  fatigue.  Several  gallant  efforts 
were  made  by  the  American  troops,  to  recover  the  artillery. 


I/ieulenai: 
piece,  an 
well  as  C( 
man.  Arc) 
general  oi 

'I'he  A 
wounded , 
ninety-foi 
more  sev 
were  take 
command 
very  liitlc 
he  only  n 
dent  are  s 
there  is  1 
hut  colon 
tlie  ollicei 
creek, 
which  ha 
and  Boyd 

Tlie  'B 
accidental 
it  the  app 
beaten  wi 
by  the  at 
pected. 

A  Hag 
obtaining 
to  bury  th 
Vincei\t  i 
advising  1 
James,  w 
and  wiihi 
boats,  an 
capains  A 
opened  a 
oir.  A  p 
mountuiii, 
gained  th 
detach  me 
demandei 
rear,  a  lie 
had  grow 
having  be 
return  to 
and  baffffE 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


115 


Haitlo  of  PUiny  Creek. 


Lieult'iiant  W.  M'Doiioiijrh  proveiiled  ilic  capture  of  one 
piece,  and  lieutenant  iSlH'liesney  anoilier;  these  olliccrs,  as 
well  as  colonel  U'lrn  and  colonel  Millon,  and  captains  Hind- 
man,  Archer,  Steel  aijd  Leonard,  were  highly  complimented  in 
general  orders. 

'J'he  American  loss  was  sixteen  killed,  and  ihirty-cight 
wounded;  and  two  brii^adiers,  one  major,  tiireo  captains,  and 
ninety-lour  men  missiiifr.  'I'lie  lot-s  of  the  enemy  was  much 
more  severe,  particularly  in  ollicers  ;  one  hundred  prisoners 
were  taken.  HIame  was  attached  to  jjeneral  Chandler,  who 
commanded,  and  also  to  general  Winder:  to  the  former  with 
very  little  reason;  and  to  the  latter  with  still  less  justice,  as 
he  only  met  with  such  misfortune  as  the  bravest  and  most  pru- 
dent are  subject  to.  Had  the  enemy  been  immediately  pursued, 
there  is  little  doubt  they  >vould  have  fallen  into  our  hands  ; 
but  colonel  Hurn,  who  now  commanded,  alter  consultation  with 
the  ollicers,  juvlged  it  most  prudent  to  fall  back  on  Forty  Mile 
creek.  IJere  lie  was  joined  by  colonel  Miller's  regiment, 
wiiich  had  been  sent  to  guard  the  boats ;  and  generals  Lewis 
and  IJoyd  :    the  former  of  whom  now  assumed  tiie   command. 

The  i3rilisi\  claimed  in  this  allair  a  splendid  victory.  The 
accidental  capture  of  the  American  generals  would  seem  to  give 
it  the  appearance  of  one  ;  but  in  the  action  they  were  certainly 
beaten  with  great  loss.  'J'heir  object,  l.owever,  was  eflected 
by  the  attack,  though  not  to  the  extent  which  they  had  ex- 
pected. 

A  flag  having  been  sent  into  our  camp  under  pretence  of 
obtaining  information  of  the  killed  and  woundet!,and  permission 
to  bury  the  dead,  but  in  reality  to  procure  information  ;  general 
Vincei'.t  immediately  despatched  a  messenger  to  sir  James  Yeo, 
advising  him  of  the  position  of  the  Americans.  On  the  8th,  sir 
James,  with  his  squadron,  apjieared  abreast  of  the  encampment, 
and  within  a  mih  of  tiie  shore.  lie  attempted  to  destroy  the 
boats,  and  warjjcd  in  a  large  schooner  for  the  purpose;  but 
capains  Archer  and  'i'owson,  hastily  constructing  a  furnace, 
opened  a  lire  with  hot  shot,  which  conijxllcd  him  to  haul 
olT.  A  party  of  Indians  now  appeared  npon  the  brow  of  the 
mountain,  but  were  soon  ilislodged  by  lieutenant  Eldridge,  who 
gained  the  summit  with  a  lew  volunteers,  in  advance  of  the 
detachment  which  was  ordered  for  the  purpose.  Sir  James 
demanded  a  surrender,  with  fhe  usual  story  of  Indians  in  the 
rear,  a  fleet  in  front,  and  regulars  on  the  flanks  ;  but  this  artifice 
had  grown  stale,  and  could  be  played  ofi"  no  longer.  Orders 
having  been  received  from  general  Dearborne,  for  the  army  to 
return  to  Fort  George ;  the  greater  part  of  the  camp  equipage 
and  baggage  were  put  in  boats.     'I'hese  were  intercepted  by  an 


ti 


no 


BRACKENftlDGE'S 


llritJHh  iitt.irk  Hitrkftt'i*  lliirlidiir. 


r.t 


f. 


armed  schooner  of  the  enemy,  and  twelve  of  ihem  taken.  The 
army  broke  up  its  encampment  ahont  ten  o'clock,  aii'.l  took  up 
its  march  for  Fort  (icorge,  harassed  nearly  the  whoje  way  by 
Indians,  who  hung  upon  its  Hank. 

The  movements  of  general  Dearborne  aganisi  the  British 
fortifications  on  the  Niagara,  had  well  nigh  cost  him  dear. 
The  British,  having  obtained  information  of  it,  resolved  to  seize 
the  opportunity  of  the  absence  of  our  troops  anil  fleet,  to  at- 
tack Sackett's  Harbour.  'I'hey  well  knew  the  importance  to 
us  of  this  place.  It  was  the  depository  of  all  our  naval  and  mili- 
tary stores  ;  both  those  captured  at  York,  and  those  which  had 
been  collecting  for  a  year  with  a  view  to  the  oj)erations  against 
Canada.  Its  convenient  locality  had  caused  it  to  be  selected  as 
the  place  at  which  to  fit  out  our  navies  of  the  lake ;  and  great 
quantities  of  timber  and  other  materials  were  here  collected  for 
the  construction  of  vessels.  The  new  ship,  the  General  Pike, 
was  on  the  stocks,  nearly  ready  to  be  launched,  and  the  prize, 
the  Gloucester,  lay  in  the  harbour.  No  time  was  lost  in 
carrying  into  cfTcct  this  important  enterprise.  Sir  George 
Prevost  selected  a  thousand  of  his  best  men,  and  embarked  them 
on  board  the  fieet  under  commodore  James  Yeo.  Scarcely  had 
commodore  Chauncey  arrived  at  Niagara,  when  sir  James 
showed  himself  oil"  the  harbour,  with  the  Wolf,  the  Koyal 
George,  the  Prince  Regent,  the  Earl  Moira,  and  some  smaller 
vessels.  The  small  vessels  under  lieutenant  Chauncey,  placed 
to  give  notice  of  the  enemy's  approach,  espied  the  squadron, 
on  the  27th,  and  hastened  to  the  harbour,  firing  guns  of  alarm. 
This  was  immediately  followed  by  the  alarm  guns  on  the 
shore,  to  bring  in  the  militia,  and  to  give  notice  to  such  regu- 
lars as  might  be  nearenough  to  hear  them.  Lieutenant-colonel 
Backus,  of  the  dragoons,  had  been  left  in  command  of  the 
place ;  but  in  case  of  attack,  general  Brown,  then  at  his  resi- 
dence eight  miles  off,  was  requested  to  take  the  command, 
although  his  brigade  of  militia  had  retired  to  their  homes,  their 
term  of  service  having  expired.  The  whole  of  our  regular 
force  consisted  of  a  few  seamen,  lieutenant  Fanning's  artillery, 
and  about  two  hundred  invalids,  not  exceeding  in  the  whole  five 
hundred  men  ;  and  colonel  Mills's  Albany  volunteers  and  some 
militia,  amounting  to  about  five  hundred  more.  On  the  28th, 
the  enemy  was  seen  at  the  distance  of  about  five  miles,  and 
seemed  to  be  standing  for  the  harbour,  when  a  fleet  of  Ameri- 
can barges  was  discovered  coming  round  North  Point,  with 
troops  from  Oswego.  Their  attention  was  now  occupied  by 
these,  and  ihev  succeeded  in  cutting  off  twelve  of  them ;  and 
taking  it  for  granled  that  there  were  many  more,  they  stood  off' 
all  the  day,  with  a  view  of  intercepting  them.     In  the  mean- 


^ ^nri 

while  geuf 
for  the  del 
much  )U(I) 
the  village 
At  the  Old 
hastily  an 
to  receive 
tlieni  in  coi 
the  light  a 
barracks  a 
my's  boat; 
person,  a 
compelled 
to  fall.  E 
loading  a  ?■ 
suddenly  tl 
to  which  c 
ble  on  beii 
Their  olllc 
commaucle 
dead  from 
tion,  and  li 
a  moment 
under  m:ij 
major  Lav 
A  sharp  C( 
lery  under 
possession 
to  annoy  tl 
wounded. 
Brown  sui 
about  nin( 
British,  an 
ing  that  tl 
superior  in 
ed  to  a  rug 
ashamed  < 
tion ;  he 
through  th 
which,  sir 
be  cut  off, 
the  boats. 
The  res 
nate :  a  di 
lieutenant 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAR. 


117 


nrttinh  nttiirk  Hii(k«!tt'H  llnrhniir— ri^piitHiMl  l>y  ft«Miprul  nnivvii. 

while  fjenoral  Hrown  \v:\s  (liliLMMiily  occupied  in  :irr;ini:cin(Mils 
for  tlio  (lerciice  of  ilit;  place,  in  niakinir  which  he  discovered 
much  jud^Miient.  Hut  a  small  pari  of  the  ground  adjacenl  to 
the  villaire  was  cleared,  the  rest  heini(  surronnded  by  woods. 
At  the  only  point  of  landinj^,  a  battery  and  hreasl-worli  were 
hastily  constructed,  and  the  mililia  placed  behind  them  ready 
to  receive  the  enemy  as  they  landed,  and  to  open  a  lire  upon 
them  in  conjunction  with  the  artillery,  'i'he  rcL^dar  troops,  and 
the  liiihl  artillery,  wen;  stationed  in  a  second  line,  nearer  the 
barracks  and  public  buildiniis.  On  the  a|»proach  of  the  ene- 
my's boats,  wf-'ich  were  commanded  by  sir  (ieorye  Prevost  in 
person,  a  well  directed  i'wo,  which  had  been  reserved  until  then, 
compelled  them  to  pause;  and  several  ollicers  and  men  were  seen 
to  fall.  Encourajjed  by  this  fire,  our  militia  were  enj^a'^ed  in 
loading  a  second  time  ;  with  the  artillery  to  sustain  them :  when 
suddenly  they  were  seized  by  some  uiiaccouniaMe  |)aiii<' ;  a  panic 
to  which  corps  composed  of  the  bravest  men  individually  are  lia- 
ble on  beinif  enj^aired  for  the  first  lime  ;  and  (led  in  confusion. 
I'heir  ollicers  in  vain  attempted  to  rally  tlii'in  ;  ami  their  brave 
commander,  colonel  Mills,  in  attemptiiij;  to  etlect  it,  was  shot 
dead  from  his  horse.  'J'he  enemy  now  laiuled  with  little  opposi- 
tion, and  havino;  formed,  advanced  to  the  barracks  ;  but  were  for 
a  moment  checked  by  a  vijrorous  attack  from  a  party  of  infantry 
under  major  Aspinwall,  and  the  dismounted  drajroons  under 
major  Laval.  These  were  compelled,  by  numbers,  to  retreat. 
A  sharp  condicl  now  commenced  with  ihe  regulars  and  artil- 
lery under  colonel  liackus ;  which  retired  gradually,  taking 
possession  of  the  houses  and  barracks,  and  tlu'iice  continuing 
to  antioy  the  enemy.  The  colonel,  about  this  time,  fell,  severely 
wounded.  Shortly  after  the  llight  of  the  mililia,  general 
Drown  succeeded  in  rallying  the  company  of  captain  iM'Nilt, 
about  ninety  in  number:  with  this  he  assailed  the  rear  of  the 
British,  and  in  his  own  words,  "did  some  execution."  Find- 
ing that  there  was  now  little  hope  of  repelling  an  enemy  so 
superior  in  force,  and  every  moment  gaining  groun  1;  he  resort- 
ed to  a  ruse  de  guerre :  a  considerable  part  of  the  militia,  now 
ashamed  of  their  panic,  having  collected  near  the  scene  of  ac- 
tion; he  instantly  formed  them,  and  marched  them  silently 
through  the  woods,  so  as  to  be  discovered  by  the  enemy.  On 
which,  sir  George  I'revost,  believing  hat  his  rear  was  about  to 
be  cut  off,  ordered  a  retreat,  which  became  a  precipitate  flight,  to 
the  boats,  and  left  all  his  wounded  and  a  number  of  prisoners. 
The  resistance  at  the  barracks  had  been  exceedingly  obsti- 
nate:  a  destructive  fire  was  poured  from  the  buildings,  while 
lieutenant  Fanning,  though  severely  wounded,  still  directed  one 


♦"« 


ml 


fi 


118 


nUACKENUlDCE'S 


Oritiuli  fiitac'k  (<iu-kittt'M  llnrtMiiir— r«'puli4«>(l  liy  nmrriil  BrHwri. 


I 

i 


P    .'*. 


IV':! 


ill 


not  U'ss  so  from  his  piccf  ofariillery.  ('aplaiii  (Jray»  ^  valua- 
ble Hritisli  olliccr,  :iii(l  an  accoinplislifd  i^'ciillciuaii,  was  shot  by 
a  small  boy,  a  (Iriimmcr,  who  snatchtul  up  a  mu.skot  and  lircd 
at  him,  as  ho  was  advauciuir  at  tliu  head  of  a  column,  to  storm 
one  oJ'  the  harracks.  'I'his  i)oy,  wlso  was  an  American,  had 
served  him  in  his  kitcjien,  and  on  the  war  breakin*^  out,  had 
returned  honu; ;  he  now  apj)roa('hed  his  Ibrmer  manter  while 
in  his  last  agonies,  and  owned  that  Ik;  had  shot  him.  Captain 
Gray  {ronorously  Ibrfravc  him,  and  with  a  nobleness  of  soul  of 
which  there  are  bui  too  lew  examples,  tooU  out  his  watch 
and  presented  it  to  him,  with  these  words,  "  My  brave  little  fel- 
low, you  iiuvc  d(Uie  well."  li  is  delitrjufid  to  re;i'l  such  traits 
even  in  an  encnjy  :  whether  the  boy  deserved  this  encomium 
is  a  matter  to  be  settleil  by  casuists. 

Dining  the  battle,  information  havin<f  been  communicated  to 
lieutenant  Chauncey,  that  om-  troops  had  been  defeated  ;  he  im- 
mediately, according  to  orders  pri.'viously  received,  set  fire  to 
the  public  store  houses :  ami  the  lire  was  not  extinguished  un- 
til considerable  damage;  had  been  done.  'I'he  loss  of  the  Ame- 
ricans in  thisallair  was,  one  colonel  of  v(»lunteers,  twenty  regu- 
lars, and  one  volunteer,  killed;  one  lieutenant-colonel,  three 
lieutenants  and  oneeii  ign,  and  seventy-nine  men,  non-commis- 
sioned olTicers  and  privates,  of  the  regulars,  wounded ;  and  twen- 
ty-six missing,  'i'he  loss  of  the  enemy  amounted  to  three  field 
ofllcers,  two  captains,  anil  twenty  rank  and  tile,  found  dead  upon 
the  ground  ;  two  captains,  and  twenty  rank  and  tile,  wounded ; 
besides  those  killed  and  wounded  in  the  boats,  and  carried  away 
previous  to  the  retreat.  On  the  same  evening  lieutenant-colo- 
nel Tuttle  arrived,  after  a  fort  cd  march  of  forty  miles,  with 
about  six  hundred  men  ;  and  other  reinforcements  were  rapidly 
coming  in  from  every  ciuarter. 

Notwithstanding  this,  a  modest  demand  to  surrender  was 
made  by  Sir  George  Prevost,  which  he  soon  after  as  modestly 
changed  into  a  request  that  the  killed  and  wounded  in  our  hands 
should  be  respectfully  attended  to ;  in  answer  to  which  he 
received  satisfactory  assurances.  On  his  return  to  Kingston, 
he  issued  a  vaunting  proclamation,  in  which  he  announced  a 
splendid  victory,  which  no  one  believed.  The  injury  inflicted 
on  us  was  certainly  considerable,  but  fell  far  short  of  the  object 
of  this  expedition  ;  and  that  the  enemy  was  compelled  precipi- 
tately to  retreat,  he  could  not  pretend  to  deny.  General  Brf^wn 
received  and  deserved  applause  for  his  conduct  on  this  occasion : 
he  here  laid  the  groundwork  of  his  military  celebrity. 

Shortly  after  this  atfair,  commodore  Chauncey  returned  with 
his  squadron ;  and  General  Lewis,  taking  command  of  the  place, 


KrNlsnntInn 

set  a!)out 
wliihr  genr 
qualified  hi 
colonel  \^o^ 

On  the  I 
ordered  to 
captured  th 
sitles  a  qua 

About  th 
of  the  Hril 
some  publi 
were  concei 
to  defend  tl 
ment,  set  lii 
the  private 
desist  from 
tion  of  the 
The  militia 
to  decamp 
made  a  sei 
vented  froii 
marauding  i 

Shortly  ; 
Dams,  in  u 
A  dctachme 
of  dislodgii 
miles  from 
time,  in  th 
more  formii 
Lieutenant- 
expedition  I 
The  Amerii 
Indians  wei 
campofsev 
to  which  th 
from  the  adj 
they  kept  uj 
up  to  their 
brave  resist 
nearly  expe 
combat.  I 
Indians ;  ai 
through  the 
been  twice 
his  officers, 


lIIsrORY  OF  Tlin  WAU. 


no 


RcAiuniition  of  n<'iirlM)rnr.,.Toun  of  HihIih  :iliiirk*-<I...Afriir  nl  nciivcr  DiiinN. 

set  about  rcpairiiifj  tin;  l)iii!(linirH  ami  piiMit!  store  lioiisps : 
uliiln  trciicral  Draihnnic,  wlio^c  iiicicai^ini:  iiuli.sposiiioti  dis- 
(inalilieil  liiiii  lor  active  command,  niiicd  iVoin  scrvicui  leaving 
colonel  Hoyd  in  coiumaml  of  Fort  (icortfc. 

On  llic  lOlli  of  June,  lieutenant  Cliauneoy,  who  had  hrcn 
ordered  to  cruise  oil'  l*res(iue  I.-le  with  iIm'  Lady  of  tlu;  Lake, 
captured  llie  liady  Murray,  with  some  olliccrs  and  privates,  be- 
sides a  (luaiiily  (»f  military  sttucH. 

About  the  same  time,  a  devastating  and  j)lun(lerinir  parly 
of  the  Hriliish  made  an  attack  on  the  village  of  Sodus,  where 
some  public  stores  were  deposited.  On  their  approach,  these 
were  concealeil  in  the  woods,  until  the  militia  could  hv.  assembled 
to  defeiul  them.  The  IJritish,  exasperated  at  their  disa|)point- 
meiil,  sot  lire  to  all  the  valuable  l)uildings  in  the  town  ;  destroyed 
the  |)rivate  property  of  iiulividuals;  ami  wrrv.  oidy  induced  to 
desist  from  the  entire  destruction  of  the  place,  on  tlu*  sti|)ida- 
tion  of  the  inhabitants  to  deliver  the  pid)lic  stores  at  the  wharf. 
The  militia  soon  after  appearing,  tlie  Hriiish  were  compelled 
to  decamp  with  the  boot"  tlu'y  had  already  collected.  'I'hey 
made  a  second  attempt  a  few  days  afterwards,  but  were  pre- 
vented from  landing  by  the  app«'arauce  of  tlu;  militia.  This 
marauding  expedition  had  no  pretext  of  retaliation  to  cover  it. 

Shortly  after,  an  all'airof  some  moment  took  place  at  Heaver 
Dams,  ill  which  our  arms  again  experienced  a  s(  \('re  reverse. 
A  detachment  of  our  troops  had  been  ordereil  out  for  the  purpose 
of  dislodging  the  enemy  at  La  Coose's  house,  about  seventeen 
miles  from  Fort  George,  where  they  had  been  stationed  for  some 
time,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  two  other  parlies  of  them  still 
more  formidable,  but  which  were;  both  nearer  to  Fort  (ieorge. 
Lieutenant-colonel  Boerstler  was  selected  to  commaiul  it.  The 
expedition  had  no  rational  object,  was  dangerous,  and  ill-judged. 
The  Americans  had  not  proceeiled  more  than  half  way,  when 
Indians  were  seen  skulking  across  the  wood  in  their  rear  :  a 
camp  of  several  hundred  of  these  lay  between  them  and  the  point 
to  which  they  were  going.  'i'he  Indians  now  made  an  attack 
from  the  adjoining  woods  ;  and  although  at  last  compelled  tolly, 
theykei)tup  the  light  long  enough  for  the  British  i)arties  to  come 
up  to  their  assistance  on  all  sides.  Colonel  Boerstler  made  a 
brave  resistance  ;  which  he  continued  until  his  ammunition  was 
nearly  expended,  and  a  third  of  his  detachment  placed  hors  de. 
combat.  His  rear  was  assailed  by  a  large  body  of  British  and 
Indians  ;  and  no  way  of  retreat  remaining  but  by  cutting  his  way 
through  the  enemy,  he  proposed  a  charge  upon  them.  He  had 
been  twice  summoned  to  surrender;  and  on  consultation  with 
his  ollicers,  it  was  agreed  to  capitulate  under  stipulations  similar 


It 


iH 


120 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


I 


I 

-  * 


i^ 


Lieutenant  EIdri<l(.'f...Iihli;ins  taken  into  the  Service..  .Dritish  attack  Blnrk  Rock. 

to  those  made  by  general  Wiucliester,  and  which  were  but  little 
belter  resj)C'(Med. 

A  few  days  after  this,  tlie  British,  having  been  greatly  rein- 
forced by  general  l)e  Rottenburgh,  invested  the  American 
3amp:  general  Vincent  was  stationed  at  Burlington  heights, 
and  De  Itotteiiburgh  at  Ten  Mile  creek. 

The  IS'ew  York  volunteers  were  detained  at  the  liead  of  the 
lake,  contrary  to  their  parol,  and  on  the  12lh  were  ordered  to 
Kingston;    but  on  the  way  a  number  edecled  their  escape. 

During  the  remainder  of  this  and  the  succeeding  months,  a 
war  of  |)()sis  was  kept  up  i)etween  the  two  armies.  On  the 
8th  of  July,  a  severe  skirmish  was  brougiit  on,  in  which  nearly 
the  whole  force  on  each  side  was  engaged,  without  any  thing 
of  monient  resulting  iVom  it.  An  incident,  however,  occurred, 
which  exa.'^perated  the  Americans  to  a  greater  degree  than  any 
thing  wiiich  had  transjured  during  the  war  in  this  quarter. 
Lieutenant  Eldridge,  a  g.dlant  and  accomplished  youth,  with 
about  forty  men,  was  drawn  by  his  impetuosity  too  far,  and  was 
surrounded  by  British  and  Indians.  'J'he  greater  part  resisted 
until  they  were  killed  ;  but  lieutenant  Eldridge,  and  ten  others, 
were  taken  |)risoners,  and  never  afterwards  heard  of.  'J'he  bo- 
dies of  the  slain  were  treated  in  the  most  shocking  manner  by  the 
Indians  ;  their  iicads  were  split  open,  and  their  hearts  torn  out,  by 
those  monsters,  the  allies  of  a  Christian  king!  Cieneral  Boyd, 
considering  the  forbearance  liitherto  practised  in  declining  the 
aid  of  Indian  allies  as  no  longer  justiliable,  and  by  way  of  pre- 
venting a  recurrence  of  these  barbarities  of  the  British  Indians, 
accepted  the  services  of  four  hundred  warriors  of  the  Seneca 
nation,  under  Young  Cornplanter,  or  Henry  O'Beal,  an  Indian, 
educated  at  one  of  our  colleges,  but  who  on  his  return  had 
resumed  the  blanket.  It  was,  however,  positively  stipulated, 
that  the  unresisting  and  defenceless  should  not  be  hurt,  and 
that  no  scalps  should  be  taken  ;  astipulation  which  was  abided 
by  during  the  whole  war. 

On  the  1 1th  of  .July,  a  force  of  two  hundred  of  the  enemy 
crossed  the  Niagara,  and  attacked  lilack  Kock;  the  militia  sta- 
tioned there  at  lirst  lied,  but  soon  returning,  with  a  reinforce- 
ment oi'  regulars  anil  Indians,  compelled  them  to  lly  to  their 
boats,  with  the  loss  of  nine  of  their  men  killed,  and  their  com- 
mander, colonel  liishop,  niortally  wounded. 

On  the  28lh  of  July,  a  second  expedition  was  undertaken 
against  York,  which  had  been  re-captured  by  the  enemy  after 
the  battle  {>f  Stony  Point.  Three  hundred  men,  under  colonel 
Scott,  end)arked  in  commodore  Chauncey's  fleet,  and  suddenly 
landing  at  that  place,  destroyed  the  public  stores  and  property, 


Seronil  tal 

released  i 
to  Sacketl 

The  Bt 
devastatio 
next  chap 
the  count) 
had  been 
ning  of  tl 
less  prosp 
force,  on 
boats,  and 
tenant  Syi 
were  attac 
rence,  ant 
very  supei 
being  nov 
ing  in  vai 
the  propel 
hundred  n 
made,  a  si 
they  first 
burnt  the 
off  great  i 
were  com 
These  act 
them  belt 
some  othe 

On  Lal< 
formidable 
interestini 
superiorit; 
been  launc 
Chauncey 
gonist. 
had  the  ac 
better  in 
an  engage 
important 
coming  it 
general  ac 
lion,  was 
7th  of  A I 
Commode 
passed  to 
his  van  si 

L 


i*>*;v 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


121 


Seroiul  tukin<;  of  York Britit,h  devastate  the  Horilers  of  Lake  Cliaiiiplain. 

released  a  number  of  colonel  Boersller's  men,  and  returned 
to  Sackett's  Harbour,  with  a  trifling  loss. 

The  IJritish,  who  were  at  this  time  jnirsuing  a  system  of 
devastation  along  our  seabord,  which  will  be  recounted  in  the 
next  chapter,  were  at  the  same  time  engaged  in  laying  waste 
the  country  on  the  borders  of  Lake  Champlain.  A  small  navy 
had  been  set  on  foot  by  both  sides,  on  this  lake,  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  year;  but  that  of  the  United  States  was  thus  far 
less  prosperous  than  that  of  the  enemy.  The  whole  American 
force,  on  this  lake,  consitued  of  a  few  armed  barges,  some  gun 
boats,  and  two  schooners,  ilie  Growler  and  Eagle,  under  lieu- 
tenant Sydney  Smith.  In  the  beginning  of  July,  the  schooners 
were  attacked  near  the  entrance  of  this  lake  into  the  St  Law- 
rence, and  after  a  severe  resistance  of  three  hours,  against  a 
very  superior  force,  were  compelled  to  surrender.  The  British, 
being  now  masters  of  the  lake,  cruised  along  its  borders,  land- 
ing in  various  places,  and  committing  many  depredations  on 
the  property  of  the  inhabitants.  On  the  31st  of  July,  twelve 
hundred  men  landed  at  IMaitsburgh,  where  no  resistance  was 
made,  a  suflTicient  body  of  militia  not  being  collected  in  time : 
they  first  destroyed  all  the  public  buildings,  and  then  wantonly 
burnt  the  store  houses  of  several  of  the  inhabitants,  and  carried 
ofl"  great  quantities  of  private  property.  The  same  outrages 
were  committed  afterwards  at  Swanton,  in  the  state  of  Vermont. 
These  acts  served  only  to  provoke  the  inhabitants,  and  render 
them  better  disposed  to  give  the  enemy  a  warm  reception  at 
some  other  period. 

On  Lake  Ontario,  a  naval  armament  which  might  be  termed 
formidable  for  this  inland  sea,  was  arrayed  on  either  side ;  and  an 
interesting  contest  ensued,  between  two  skilful  oflioers,  for  the 
superiority.  The  General  Pike,  of  twenty-two  guns,  having 
been  launched,  and  proving  to  be  an  excellent  sailer;  commodore 
Chauncey  was  now  fully  equal,  in  point  of  strength,  to  his  anta- 
gonist. Sir  James  Yeo,  though  somewhat  inferior  in  force, 
had  the  advantage  in  an  important  particular:  his  ships  sailed 
better  in  squadron,  and  he  could  therefore  avoid  or  come  to 
an  engagement  as  he  thought  proper.  It  being  a  matter  all 
important  to  the  British,  to  prevent  the  Americans  from  be- 
coming masters  of  the  lake;  sir  James  prudently  avoided  a 
general  action  :  while,  on  the  other  hand,  to  bring  him  to  ac- 
tion, was  the  great  object  of  commodore  Chauncey.  On  the 
7ih  of  August,  the  two  fleets  came  in  sight  of  each  other. 
Commodore  Chauncey  manoeuvred  to  gain  the  wind.  Having 
passed  to  the  leeward  of  the  enemy's  line,  and  being  abreast  of 
his  van  ship,  the  Wolf,  he  fired  a  few  guns  to  ascertain  whether 

L 


ii.: 


[i 


':\    m 


3\ 


122 


BRACKENRIDGE^S 


Ciuise  of  Commodore  Chauncey  on  Lake  Ontario. 


ft 
II 


he  could  reach  the  hostile  fleet.  The  shot  falling  short,  he 
wore,  and  hauled  upon  a  wind  to  the  starboard  tack;  the  rear 
of  his  schooners  being  six  miles  astern.  Sir  James  wore 
also,  and  hauled  upon  a  wind  on  the  same  tack ;  but  observ- 
ing that  the  American  fluet  would  be  able  to  weather  him  in 
the  next  tack,  he  tacked  again  and  made  all  sail  to  tlie  north- 
ward. Commodore  Chauncey  pursued  him.  He  continued 
the  chase  until  night;  but  the  schooners  not  being  able  to  keep 
up,  a  signal  was  made  to  relinquish  the  pursuit,  and  to  form 
in  close  order.  The  wind  now  blew  heavily;  and  at  midnight, 
two  of  the  schooners,  the  Scourge  and  the  Hamilton,  were 
found  to  have  overset  in  the  squall.  Lieutenants  Winter  and 
Osgood,  two  valuable  oflUcers,  were  lost,  and  only  sixteen  men 
of  the  crews  saved.  The  next  morning  the  enemy,  discovering 
this  misfortune,  and  having  now  the  superiority,  manifested  a 
disposition  to  engage  the  Americans,  and  bore  up  for  the  pur- 
pose. Two  schooners  were  ordered  to  engage  him  ;  but  when 
they  were  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  him,  he  attempted  to  cut 
them  off.  Failing  in  this,  he  hauled  his  wind,  and  hove  to.  A 
squall  coming  on,  commodore  Chauncey  was  fearful  of  being 
separated  from  his  dull  sailing  schooners,  and  ran  in  towards 
Niagara  aiul  anchored.  Here  he  received  on  board,  from  Fort 
George,  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  to  act  as  marines,  and  dis- 
tributed them  through  his  fleet.  On  the  morning  of"  the  9th, 
he  again  sailed.  Ateleven  o'clock,  after  much  manceuvring  on 
both  sides,  the  rear  of  the  enemy's  line  opened  its  fire;  and 
in  fifteen  minutes  the  action  became  general  on  both  sides.  At 
half  past  eleven,  the  American  weather  line  bore  up,  and  passed 
to  the  leeward,  the  Growler  and  Julia  excepted,  which  soon 
after  tacking  to  the  southward,  brought  the  British  between 
them  and  the  remainder  of  the  American  fleet.  Sir  James, 
after  exchanging  a  few  shot  with  the  American  commodore's 
ship,  pursued  the  Growler  and  Julia.  A  firing  conunenced 
between  them,  which  continued  until  one  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing of  the  10th;  when,  after  a  desperate  resistance,  the  two 
schooners  were  compelled  to  yield.  The  fleets  had  lost  siyht 
of  each  other  in  the  night;  but  as  Sir  James  on  the  next  day, 
when  they  were  again  visible,  showed  no  disposition  to  renew 
the  action,  commodore  Chauncey  returned  to  Sackett's  Har- 
bour. A  victory  for  ihis'aifair  was  claimed  by  the  British  com- 
mander. 


War  on  tli 
sels  of  War- 
of  Havre  de 
and  8ir  Syd 
jzallanlly  ri-j) 
Corresponds 
iters  the  Con: 
by  Coniniod( 

DURI\( 

engaged  i 
had  little 
forces  wh 
one  of  ou 
blockade, 
ever,  gav 
while  OU1 
kindled  2 
known  th 
a  body  of 
rockets,  1 
cities  and 
south,  fro 
unfriendl) 
from  the 
king  of  E 

We  arc 
tirely  ne\ 
must  pase 
tion;  and 
regarded, 
the  honoi! 

It  was 
the  AUaut 
deetructio 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


123 


War  on  the  L'i>adt. 


4» 


CHAPTER  IX. 


Wnr  on  the  Const— Britisli  Att.irk  LewSstown — Gun  Bf.ats  attnrk  sotne  British  Ves- 
sels of  War — Exjjloits  of  Cockliiirn — Attack  on  Frenrlitown — riumiering  and  Burning 
of  Havre  de  Grace — of  Georgetown  aud  Frederirktown — ArrivaJ  of  Ailniiral  Warren 
and  Sir  Sydney  Uerkwilli — Southern  Cities  threatened — Attack  on  Craney  Island — 
jzallantly  repulsed — llainptun  assaulted  and  plundered — Enormities  conisnitted  there — 
Correspondence  between  General  Taylor  and  Sir  Sydney  Beckwrth — Cockhurn  plun- 
ders the  Coast  of  North  Carolina — Blockatie  of  the  American  Squadron  at  New  London 
hy  CouuHodore  Hardy — Tori)edo  System. 

During  the  first  year  of  the  war,  Great  Britain,  being  deeply 
engaged  in  llie  important  transactions  then  going  on  in  Europe, 
had  htlle  time  to  attend  to  the  war  with  this  country.  The 
forces  which  she  couhl  spare,  had  been  sent  to  Canada ;  ;;nd  not 
one  of  our  ports  could  be  said  to  have  been  in  a  state  of  actual 
blockade.  The  change  in  the  face  of  things  in  Europe,  how- 
ever, gave  her  a  greater  disposable  force,  and  more  leisure ; 
while  our  victories  on  the  ocean  awakened  her  attention,  and 
kindled  a  desire  for  revenge.  Long  before  spring,  it  was 
known  that  a  British  squadron  had  arrived  at  Bermuda,  with 
a  body  of  troops  on  board,  and  well  supplied  with  bombs  and 
rockets,  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  some  of  our  southern 
cities  and  towns.  A  distinction  was  made  between  the  north  and 
south,  iVom  the  belief,  that  the  northern  states  were  not  merely 
unfriendly  to  the  war,  but  were  strongly  inclined  to  secede 
from  the  union,  and  returii  to  their  former  allegiance  to  the 
king  of  England. 

We  are  now  about  to  enter  upon  a  species  of  hostilities,  en- 
tirely new  among  civilized  people.  The  scenes  which  we 
must  pass  in  review,  can  scarcely  be  s[)oken  of  with  modera- 
tion; and  the  chief  actors  of  them  can  never  be  otherwise 
leganled,  than  as  the  perpetrators  of  enormities  from  which 
the  honourable  warrior  would  shrink  with  instinctive  horror. 

It  was  soon  understood  that  the  war  to  be  carried  on  against 
tlie  Adautic  coast  in  the  spring,  was  to  be  a  war  of  havock  and 
destruction ;  but  to  what  extent  was  not  exactly  known.     The 


p    •  d 


1 


i 


>''i 


124 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


War  on  the  Const British  attack  Lewiatown. 


V       ■: 


it 

h  k 

I*. 


enemy  "  talked  of  chastising  us  into  submission."  It  was  there- 
fore expected  that  our  large  commercial  towns,  now  somewhat 
fortified  against  the  approach  of  their  shipping,  would  be  vigor- 
ously attacked ;  and  it  was  probable  that  they  would  be  much 
injured,  and  not  impossible  that  they  might  be  reduced  to  ashes. 
Preparations  for  resistance  were  made,  by  stationing  small 
bodies  of  regular  troops  at  different  points  along  the  seabord ; 
which  were  to  form  rallying  points  for  the  militia,  when  their 
aid  should  be  required.  A  number  of  marines  and  seamen, 
belonging  to  public  v  ssels  which  did  not  put  to  sea.  were 
directed  to  co-operate  in  this  service. 

On  the  4th  of  February,  a  squadron  consisting  of  two  ships 
of  the  line,  three  frigaies  and  other  vessels,  made  its  appearance 
in  Chesapeake  Bay,  apparently  standing  for  Hampton  Roads. 
The  alarm  was  immediately  caught  at  Norfolk,  and  the  militia 
were  called  in  from  the  upper  part  of  Virginia.  No  attempt,  how- 
ever, was  made  upon  the  town ;  the  enemy  contenting  himself 
with  destroying  the  smaller  vessels  employed  in  the  navigation 
of  the  bay,  and  effectively  blockading  its  waters.  About  the 
same  time,  another  squadron,  under  the  command  of  commodore 
Beresford,  consisting  of  the  Poictiers,  the  Belvidera  and  some 
other  vessels,  entered  the  Delaware,  which  in  the  same 
manner  destroyed  a  number  of  small  trading  vessels,  and  at- 
tempted several  times  to  land  some  men,  who  were  as  often 
repulsed  by  the  militia,  hastily  collected.  On  the  10th  of  April, 
sir  John  Beresford  made  a  demand  on  the  people  of  the  village 
of  Lewistown,  for  a  supply  of  provisions,  which  was  spiritedly 
refused  by  colonel  Davis,  commanding  at  that  place.  Captain 
Byron,  of  the  Belvidera,  was  ordered  to  move  near  the  village, 
and  bombard  it  until  the  demand  should  be  complied  with. 
This  was  obeyed,  but  without  effect:  after  a  cannonade  of 
twenty  hours,  the  enemy  were  unable  to  make  any  impression  on 
the  place.  Their  fire  had  been  returned  from  some  batteries 
rapidly  thrown  up  On  the  bank,  .with  considerable  effect.  On 
the  10th  of  May,  tb.e  same  squadron  sent  out  iheir  barges  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  Lewistown,  to  procure  water.  Major 
George  Hunter  was  detached  by  colonel  Davis,  with  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  men,  to  oppose  their  landing,  which  the  major 
did  with  so  much  gallantry,  that  they  were  c</mpelled  to  hasten 
to  their  shipping.  The  squadron  soon  after  returned  to  Ber- 
muda, where  sir  John  Borlace  Warren,  who  commanded  on  this 
station,  was  engaged  in  fitting  out  a  more  considerable  arma- 
ment, for  the  attack  of  our  sea  coast  during  the  summer. 

Soon  after  the  departure  of  this  squadron,  the  Spartan  and 


some  otlu! 
sloop  of  w 
grounded  ( 
of  the  guM 
moved,  an 
sloop,  f)pci 
soon  after  { 
an  hour  be 
the  latter  s 
oir  this  mil 
ers  and  cut 
line.  Cm 
was  unfort 
eight  times 
extricated  i 

Scenes 
the  Chesai 
ed  in  Fchr 
along  the  s 
admiral  in 
which  he 
may  justly 
cd  against  t 
men  unpre 
robbed,  ar.( 
tie  which  c 
destruction 
persuaded, 
attack  and 
masters.  ] 
house,  to  ni 
in  several  i 
collected  \vi 
Cockhurn  t 
cularly  Sh; 
•eized  tlie  < 
ing  shores, 
their  guard 
ing  bodies  ( 
ready  to  be 
success  of 

Enconraj 
their  hen  r 
already  obt 
thing  of  a  I 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


125 


Oiiii  Boats  iitt;ick  sunie  liritiMi  VesaeU  of  War Exploits  of  Cnckbiirii. 


soniR  Other  vessels  entered  the  Deliiware.  One  of  tliem,  the 
sloop  of  war  Martin,  uas  (Uscovered  on  the  20ih  of  July,  slightly 
{Trounded  on  the  outer  edije  of  ('row's  shoals.  A  detachment 
of  the  jTun  l)o;it  llotilla,  at  that  time  near  the  place,  immediitely 
moved,  and  anchoring  alxiut  three  quarters  of  a  mile  from  the 
sloop,  opened  a  destructive  fire  upon  her.  The  Junon  frigate 
sr)on  after  came  to  her  relief.  A  cannonade  was  kept  un  during 
an  hour  between  the  gun  l)oats  and  these  two  vessels,  in  which 
the  latter  suffered  great  injury.  Finding  it  impossible  to  drive 
off  this  mustjuitto  Heel,  the  enemy  manned  their  launches,  tend- 
ers and  cutters,  to  cut  off  the  iiuu  boats  at  the  extremity  of  the 
line,  fiun  boat  JNo.  121,  commanded  by  sailing-master  Head, 
was  unfortunately  taken,  after  a  desperate  resistance  against 
eight  times  her  number.  'J'he  British  soon  after  retired,  having 
extricated  the  Martin  from  her  situation. 

Scenes  of  a  dilferenl  kind  were,  in  the  meanwliile,  acting  in 
the  Chesapeake.  'J'he  blockading  squadron,  which  had  return- 
ed in  February,  was  engaged  in  carrying  on  a  predatory  war 
along  the  shores  and  inlets.  It  was  here  that  Cockburn,  a  rear 
admiral  in  the  Hritish  service,  commenced  those  exploits,  for 
which  he   afterwards  became  so  notorious  ;   and  of  which  he 

I  may  justly  claim  to  be  the  originator.    At  first  they  were  direct- 

ed against  detaolied  I'armhouses,  and  the  seats  of  private  gentle- 
men unprepared  for  and  incapable  of  defence.  These  were 
robbed,  and  the  owners  treated  in  the  rudest  manner.  'I'he  cat- 
tle which  could  not  be  carried  away,  were  doomed  io  v/anton 
destruction;  aiul  the  slaves,  armed  against  their  owners,  were 
persuaded,  in  imitation  of  the  example  of  their  new  friends,  to 
attack  and  plunder  the  defenceless  families  and  properly  of  their 
masters.  It  was  impossible  to  st-ition  a  force  at  each  farm- 
house, to  meet  these  miserable  and  disgraceful  incursions.  Yet, 
in  several  instances,  they  were  bravely  repelled  by  militia,  who 
collected  without  authority  and  under  the  guidance  of  no  leader. 
Cockburn  took  possession  of  several  islands  in  the  bay,  parti- 
cularly kSliarp's,  'i'ilghman's  and  Poplar  islands;  whence  he 
-eized  the  opportunity  of  making  descents  upon  the  neighbour- 
ing shores,  at  such  times  as  the  inhabitants  liappened  to  be  off 
their  guard  :  but  the  spirited  citizens  of  Maryland,  by  station- 
ing bodies  of  infantry  and  cavalry  at  intervals  along  the  short--, 
ready  to  be  drawn  out  at  a  moment's  warning,  prevented  the 
success  of  many  of  them. 

Encouraged  by  the  results  of  his  attacks  on  the  farmers  and 
their  hen  roosts,  and  rendered  more  rapacious  by  the  booty 
already  obtained,  Cockburn  now  resolved  to  undertake  some- 
thing of  a  bolder  and  more  adventurous  character,  in  which  his 

L* 


■  I 


•J 


•fl^ 


Nf* 


1>  I 


iii 


126 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Attark  fm  F'renrhtfiMn IMunderini;  nnil  lliirninir  nC  llavrt;  (It-  Grace. 


I'   1 


thirst  for  plunJer,  ant)  liis  love  of  mischief,  might  be  gratifieil 
in  a  higher  degree.  He  therefore  directed  his  attention  to  the 
unprotected  villages  and  hamlets  along  the  bay;  carefully  avoid- 
ing the  larger  towns,  the  nlundering  of  which  might  be  attended 
with  some  danger.  The  first  of  his  exploits  was  against  the 
village  of  Frenchtown,  containing  six  dwelliiighouses,  two  large 
store  houses,  and  several  stables.  This  place  was  important,  as 
a  point  of  intei mediate  deposit  for  the  lines  of  transportation 
between  the  cities  of  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore  ;  and  Cock- 
burn  rightly  conjectured  that  here  there  might  be  private  pro- 
perty to  a  considerable  amount.  He  accordingly  set  out  on  this 
expedition,  from  his  ship  tlie  Marlborough,  in  barges,  with  five 
hundred  marines ;  a  number  suflTicient  to  have  carried  the  town  on 
their  backs.  Some  show  of  resistance  was  made  by  a  small 
party  of  militia  collected  from  Elkton,  which  retired  as  the  ad- 
miral approached.  The  store  houses  were  destroyed;  together 
with  such  goods  as  could  not  be  carried  oflf,  to  an  immense  amount. 
Amongst  other  objects  of  wanton  destruction,  was  an  elegant 
drop-curtain,  belonging  to  the  theatres  of  the  cities  before  men- 
tioned. The  brand  was  applied  to  some  of  the  private  dwei- 
iinghouses,  and  to  several  vessels  lying  at  the  wharf;  after 
which,  the  British,  fearing  the  approach  of  the  militia,  hastily 
returned  to  their  shipping. 

The  next  exploit  of  the  admiral  was  of  still  greater  impor- 
tance. The  town  of  Havre  de  Grace  is  situated  on  the  Sus- 
quehanna, about  two  miles  from  the  he\d  of  the  bay,  and  is  a 
neat  village,  containing  twenty  or  thirty  houses.  An  attack 
on  this  place  was  the  next  object  in  the  plan  of  his  operations. 
Accordingly,  on  the  3d  of  May,  before  daylight,  his  approach 
was  announced  by  the  firing  of  cannon  and  tlie  discharge  of 
numerous  rockets.  The  inhabitants,  thus  awakened  from  their 
sleep,  leaped  up  in  the  greatest  consternation  ;  and  the  more 
courageous  repaired  to  the  beach,  where  a  few  small  pieces 
of  artillery  had  been  planted  on  a  kind  of  battery,  for  the 
purpose  of  defence  against  the  smaller  watering  or  plun- 
dering parties  of  the  enemy.  After  firing  a  few  shots  on  the 
approaching  barges,  they  all,  with  the  exception  of  an  old  citi- 
zen of  the  place  of  the  name  of  O'Neill,  fled,  abandoning  the 
village  to  the  mercy  of  Cockburn.  O'Neill  alone  continued 
the  fight,  loading  apiece  of  artillery,  and  firing  it  himself,  until, 
in  recoiling,  it  ran  over  his  thigh  and  wounded  him  severely. 
He  then  armed  himself  with  a  musket,  and  keeping  up  a  fire 
on  the  advancing  column  of  the  British,  which  had  by  this  time 
landed  and  formed,  limped  away  to  join  his  comrades,  whom 
he  attempted  in  vain  to  rally. 


No  sooi 
this  sudde 
destroying 
Having  gli 
every  spec 
being  now 
and  threw 
children  fl 
insolence  ( 
they  find  ; 
were  torn 
moment  ii 
children  al 
longing  to 
themselves 
should  not 
next  objec 
building,  d 
sual  pains 
remained  i 
modore  R 
town  had 
naval  offici 
a  brave  ant 
of  his  cou 
had  been  a 
citation  he 
peal  to  the 
it  is  mentii 
only  from  t 
brutal  it}', 
in  the  villa 
and  while 
to  lay  was 
route  towa 
houses,  an 
and  money 
outrages, 
wanton  inj 
which  the} 
the  inhabi 
were  not  w 
taken  prisi 
days ;  at  tl 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


127 


^' 


I'liinderini!  ninl  nurning  of  tiavre  de  Grare. 


No  sooner  had  the  enemy  taken  possession  of  the  village  by 
this  sudden  and  bold  assault,  thaii  they  set  themselves  about 
destroying  the  private  dwellings,  and  plundering  their  contents. 
Having  glutted  their  avarice,  they  then  amused  themselves  with 
every  species  of  barbarous  and  wanton  mischief.  The  houses 
being  now  on  fire,  they  cut  open  the  beds  of  the  inhabitants, 
and  threw  in  the  feathers  to  increase  the  flame.  Women  and 
children  fled  shrieking  in  every  direction,  to  avoid  the  brutal 
insolence  of  the  British  seamen  and  marines,  and  no  where  did 
they  find  a  protector  amongst  these  savages.  Their  clothes 
were  torn  from  their  backs,  and  they  felt  themselves  at  every 
moment  in  danger  of  being  massacred.  Not  on  women  and 
children  alone  were  these  outrages  committed  ;  the  horses  be- 
longing to  the  public  stages  were  cruelly  maimed,  and  the  stages 
themselves  broken  to  pieces.  Determined  that  their  character 
should  not  be  equivocal,  these  worse  than  Vandals,  selected  as  the 
next  object  of  their  barbarous  vengeance,  a  neat  and  beautiful 
building,  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the  Almighty,  and  took  unu- 
sual pains  to  deface  its  doors  and  windows.  One  building  yet 
remained  undemolished,  an  elegant  dwelling  belonging  to  com- 
modore Rodgers.  Here  the  most  respectable  females  of  the 
town  had  taken  refuge  with  their  children;  believing  that  a 
naval  ofl^icer  would  not  wantonly  insult  the  unprotected  wife  of 
a  brave  and  gallant  seaman,  who  was  then  absent  in  the  service 
of  his  country.  The  oflScerto  whom  the  task  of  conflagration 
had  been  assigned,  already  held  the  torch,  when  by  much  soli- 
citation he  was  induced  to  wait  a  few  moments,  until  an  ap- 
peal to  the  admiral  could  be  made.  It  proved  successful ;  and 
it  is  mentioned  to  his  praise,  that  he  refrained  on  one  occasion 
only  from  that  the  doing  of  which  would  have  been  the  climax  of 
brutality.  No  further  mischief  remaining  to  be  perpetrated 
in  the  village,  the  enemy  divided  their  force  into  three  bodies ; 
and  while  one  remained  to  keep  watch,  the  others  proceeded 
to  lay  waste  the  adjacent  country.  One  party  pursued  the 
route  towards  J3altimore  for  several  miles,  plundering  the  farm- 
houses, and  robbing  the  travellers  on  the  road  of  their  clothes 
and  money  ;  the  other  marched  up  the  river,  committing  similar 
outrages.  It  were  endless  to  enumerate  the  acts  of  cruel  and 
wanton  injury,  inflicted  by  this  party,  during  the  short  time 
which  they  remained.  On  the  6lh,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of 
the  inhabitants,  these  savages,  than  whom  those  of  the  west 
were  not  worse,  returned  to  their  fleet.  O'Neill,  who  had  been 
taken  prisoner,  was  carried  with  them  and  detained  several 
days ;  at  the  end  of  which  time  they  thought  proper  to  release 


1 1 1 


1! 


128 


BRACKENRIDCJE'S 


Pliiiiil'-riiii!  iinii  Hiiriii.'iit  of(J('(ir!!fl(i\vn  and  E'rcdericklown. 


liim.  'J'lic  iiiliahitiints  of  the  vill.i'ic  in:my  of  whom  urre  al- 
most ruined,  threw  themselves  on  the  Immaiiily  of  their  fellow 
citizens  of  lialiimorc,  who  eontrihnted  ^ronerousiy  to  their  re- 
lief; and  they  were  soon  after  enabled  lo  commence  the  rebuild- 
inpf  of  their  houses. 

Elated  wilh  the  prnfituhle  issue  of  tliis  descent,  in  which 
a  rich  booty  was  obtained  wilh  so  little  d.mj^er,  the  enemy  was 
eager  for  some  other  enterprise  etjually  honourable  to  the  Bri- 
tish arms.  On  the  river  Sassafras,  which  empties  itself  into  the 
bay,  stood  (Seorgetown  and  Fredericktown,  two  beautiful  vil- 
lages situated  nearly  opposite  to  each  other,  one  in  Kent,  the  other 
in  Cecil  county.  These  had  attracted  the  attention  of  the  admi- 
ral. His  hired  agents,  for  miscreants  may  be  found  in  every 
country  for  such  purposes,  had  informed  liim,  that  here  he  might 
glut  his  crew  wilh  plunder.  On  the  6th,  placing  himself  at  the 
head  of  six  hundred  men,  in  eighteen  barges,  he  ascended  the 
river,  and  proceeded  towards  Fredericktown.  (Jolonel  Veazy 
had  collected  here  about  fifty  militia  ;  and,  on  the  approach  of  the 
barges,  he  immediately  commenced  a  heavy  fire  with  langrel 
ehot  and  musketry.  'J'he  greater  part  of  the  militia  soon  fled, 
leaving  the  colonel  to  oppose  the  enemy  as  he  could;  he,  notwith- 
standing, kept  up  a  steady  fire,  until  they  approached  so  near 
that  he  was  compelled  to  retreat.  'J'he  admiral  boldly  advanced 
to  the  town,  pluiulered  tiie  houses,  and  in  spite  of  the  entreaties 
of  the  women  and  children,  again  acted  the  incendiary.  Leav- 
ing Fredericktown  in  flames,  he  passeil  to  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river,  whence,  after  treating  the  village  of  Georgetown  in 
the  sane  manner,  he  returned,  glutted  with  spoil  and  satiated 
with  wanton  havock. 

Not  long  after  this,  admiral  Warren  entered  the  bay  with  a 
considerable  reinforcement  to  the  fleet,  and  a  number  of  land 
troops  and  marines  under  the  command  of  sir  Sydney  P»eck- 
with.  He  had  seized  some  of  the  vessels  employed  in  the  navi- 
gation of  the  bay,  with  the  view  of  using  them  in  penetrating 
those  inlets  which  were  impervious  to  the  larger  tenders.  'J'o 
oppose  the  small  parties  which  he  sent  out,  the  government  hired 
a  number  of  barges  and  light  vessels,  which,  by  moving  from 
place  to  place  with  great  rapidity,  tended  to  keep  him  in  check. 

By  the  arrival  of  admiral  Warren,  the  hostile  force  in  the 
Chesapeake  was  increased  to  seven  ships  of  the  line,  and  twelve 
frigates,  wilh  a  proportionate  number  of  smaller  vessels.  The 
appearance  of  this  formidable  armament  created  much  alarm  in 
the  more  considerable  towns  along  the  neighbouring  coast. 
Baltimore,  Annapolis   and  Norfolk  were   threatened;   and  it 


soon  becai 
to  receive 

On  the 
that  a  squ; 
commence 
The  frigat 
commandi 
situated, 
tia  had  col 
ordered  in 
foremost  o 
it  was  con 
manded  b 
Henly.  ( 
vourable  p 
gate,  at  thi 
the  cannon 
much  injui 
vessel,  whi 
assistance; 
been  silen 
frigates  aga 
By  this  afj 
considering 

A  formii 
by  the  Brit 
the  forts  b^ 
to  the  enei; 
of  the  day. 
River.  C; 
brick  and  S 
seamen  on 
the  north w 
manner  as 
side.  On 
ing  in  barg( 
ber  of  four 
ascertained 
prisoners  i: 
the  promts 
zens  of  th( 
out  of  the  r 
not  out  of  1 
within  two 
ed  by  lieutt 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


120 


Hoiithrrn  CitieH  thn-dtcneil Attnrk  on  Crnncy  Nlniui. 

soon  became  evident  that  the  latter  of  these  pUices  was  selected 
to  receive  the  first  blow. 

On  the  18th,  commodore  Cassin,  having  received  intellin^cnce 
that  a  squadron  of  the  enemy  had  arrived  in  Hampton  Roads, 
commenced  the  necessary  dispositions  for  repelling  the  invader. 
The  frigate  Constellation  was  anchored  between  the  two  forts, 
commanding  Elizabeth  river,  on  which  the  city  of  Norfolk  is 
situated.  At  this  place  nearly  ten  thousand  of  the  Virginia  mili- 
tia had  collected.  A  detachment  of  the  gun  boat  ilutilla  was 
ordered  in  the  meanwhile  to  descend  the  river,  and  engage  the 
foremost  of  the  enemy's  frigates.  Captain  Tarbell,  by  whom 
it  was  commanded,  proceeded  in  two  divisions:  the  first  com- 
manded by  lieutenant  Gardner,  and  the  other  by  lieutenant 
Henly.  On  the  20th,  having  brought  his  gun  boats  into  a  fa- 
vourable position,  he  opened  a  rapid  fire  upon  the  Junon  fri- 
gate, at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile.  This  was  returned  ;  and 
the  cannonade  continued  for  half  an  hour;  the  frigate  receiving 
much  injury,  while  the  gun  boats  suffered  but  little.  Another 
vessel,  which  proved  to  be  a  7'azee,  was  now  seen  coming  to  her 
assistance ;  and  the  fire  of  the  Junon,  which  for  a  short  time  had 
been  silenced,  on  the  arrival  of  her  consort  and  additional 
frigates  again  opening.  Captain  Tarbell  thought  proper  to  retire. 
By  this  affair,  the  Junon  was  much  shattered;  and  her  loss, 
considering  the  great  disparity  of  force,  was  considerable. 

A  formidable  attack  on  Norfolk  having  been  resolved  upon 
by  the  British  ;  it  was  necessary,  preparatory  to  this,  to  subdue 
the  forts  by  which  it  was  protected.  The  nearest  obstruction 
to  the  enemy's  advances,  was  Craney  island  ;  and  in  the  course 
of  the  day,  the  fleet  in  the  bay  dropped  to  tiie  mouth  of  James 
River.  Captain  Tarbell  gave  orders  to  lieutenants  Neale,  Shu- 
brick  and  Saunders,  of  the  frigate  Constellation,  to  land  a  hundred 
seamen  on  the  island,  for  the  purpose  of  manning  a  battery  on 
the  northwest  side;  while  he  stationed  the  gun  boats  in  such  a 
manner  as  enabled  him  to  annoy  the  enemy  from  the  opposite 
side.  On  the  22d,  at  daylight,  they  were  discovered  approach- 
ing in  barges,  round  the  point  of  Nansemond  river,  to  the  num- 
ber of  four  thousand  men ;  most  of  whom,  it  was  afterwards 
ascertained,  were  wretched  French  troops,  which  had  been  taken 
prisoners  in  Spain,  and  induced  to  enter  the  British  service  by 
the  promise  of  being  permitted  to  pillage  and  abuse  the  citi- 
zens of  the  United  States.  Tliey  selected  a  place  of  landing 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  gun  boats  ;  but,  unfortunately  for  them, 
not  out  of  the  reach  of  danger.  When  they  had  approache<l 
within  two  hundred  yards  of  the  shore,  lieutenant  Neale,  assist- 
ed by  lieutenants  Shubrick  and  Saunders,  opened  a  galling  fire 


■  1 


!i  kl^ 


tn  i 


1  li 


t 

hi 


4i^ 


*  "Si 


130 


BUACKENRIDGE'S 


Allnik  on  rrnni^y  iHlnnd— (!i»llantly  rppiilseil. 


from  his  battery,  and  compelled  ihem  to  pause.  'J'lic  battery 
was  niamunl  by  oiio  biiiulrcd  and  fifty  men,  inehidinp  lieutenant 
Urcekcnridf^e's  marines.  Aneiijhtecn  posinder  whi(;b  liad  Ijeen 
mounted  on  it  was  directed  with  so  much  precision,  that  sev- 
eral of  the  enemy's  boats  were  cut  in  two,  and  the  men  with  difll- 
culty  escaped.  TIjc  Centipede,  the  admiral's  barije,  was  sunk, 
and  the  wii(»le  force  compelled  to  make  a  precipitate  retreat. 
No  sooner  was  tbis  discovered,  tban  lieutenant  Neale  ordered 
his  men  to  haul  up  the  l)oats  which  had  been  sunk,  and  to 
afford  tbe  unfortunate  sullerers  every  assistance  in  their  power. 
A  large  party  of  tbe  enemy  which  had  landed  on  the  main 
shore,  and  were  crossing  a  narrow  inlet  to  tbe  west  side,  were 
not  less  warndy  received  by  the  Virginia  volunteers.  A  short 
time  before  tbe  approach  of  the  barges,  this  body  of  men, 
about  eight  hundred  in  number,  attempted  to  cross  to  the  island 
by  the  inlet  of  which  we  have  spoken.  Colonel  IJeatty,  who 
had  lieen  posted,  with  about  four  hundred  men,  on  the  island, 
planted  two  twenty-four  pounders,  and  four  sixes,  to  oppose 
the  passage,  under  the  direction  of  major  Faidkner,  aided  by 
captain  Emerson,  and  lieutenants  Ilowel  and  Codwin.  The 
conflict  commenced  at  the  same  moment  that  the  attack  was 
made  on  tbe  party  approaching  by  water;  and  the  enemy 
was  compi.'lled  to  reliiuiuish  his  attempt  in  this  quarter  also. 
His  total  loss  was  upwards  of  two  liundred  in  killed  and 
wounded,  besides  a  number  of  his  men,  who  seized  the  oppor- 
tunity to  desert. 

The  safety  ol  the  city  of  Norfolk,  and  of  Gosport,  Ports- 
mouth and  oiher  siirrouniling  towns,  is  to  be  attributed  to 
the  resolute  defence  of  Craney  island.  'I'he  conduct  of  lieu- 
tenant Neale,  and  his  brave  comj)aMions  Sliubri(;k,  Saunders 
and  Breckenridge,  received  the  grateful  acknowledgements  of 
the  inhabitants.  Colrtnel  Ik-ally  and  hisofiicers,  and  two  non- 
commissioned volunteers,  sergeant  Young  and  corporal  Aloflit, 
were  no  less  entitled  to  praise  for  the  parts  which  they  took  in 
this  interestini;  alhiir. 

This  unexpected  repulse  enraged  the  enemy  beyond  measure ; 
but  at  the  same  time  that  their  desire  of  revenge  was  excited, 
they  were  tauglit  greater  prudence  in  the  selection  of  the  object 
of  attack.  A  consultation  took  place  between  admiral  Warren, 
sir  Sydney  Beckwiih  and  Cockburn,  which  resulted  in  a  deter- 
mination to  attack  the  town  of  Hampton,  about  eighteen  miles 
distant  from  Norfolk,  'i'here  was  a  garrison  here,  consisting 
of  about  four  hundred  men,  artillerists  and  infantry.  'J'he  fortifi- 
cations of  tbe  place  were  very  inconsiderable  ;  and  the  town  itself 
was  of  little  more  importance  than  the  villages  which  had  been 


llaniptun 

pillaged  by  ( 
of  lliis  place, 
part  of  Virg 
of  attack  ha 
wards  the  tc 
vessels,  thro 
while  sirSyi 
intending  to 
ral  Cockbui 
the  othcer  c( 
few  pieces  o 
back,   and  C( 
sir  Sydney  i 
a  rifle  comp; 
in  a  wood,  n 
after  drew  u 
ing  himself  u 
good  ills  ret 
tain  Pryor  h: 
the  enemy's 
landed, had  a 
considering 
selves  as  pris 
and  chargini 
fusion,  that 
of  a  sinjjle 
amounted  to 
British,  acco 
three  wound 
Scarcely  \ 
when  full  pt 
worst    passi( 
scenes  of  slu 
ofler  violenci 
tants,  whose 
escaping 
felt  for  die  h( 
of  his  life,  to 
was  not  one. 
from  his  bed 
aged  wife,  w 
of  a  pistol  in 
wantonly  pu 
murdered  in 
and  the  woui 


\ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


131 


ll»iii|it(iii  iiNNaiiltnl  anrl  |iliih(lfr<-(l Eiuirniitlt'N  roniiiiitted  tlicre. 


j)illa|;5ed  by  Cockbiirn.  It  was  thought,  that  by  the  possession 
of  this  phice,  the  coninuiDication  between  Norfolk  aiul  the  upper 
part  of  Virginia  would  l)e  entirely  cut  o(l".  On  the  25ih,  the  pi  n 
of  attack  having  been  atljustcd,  admiral  Cockburn  advanced  to- 
wards the  town,  with  a  number  of  barges,  tenders  and  smaller 
vessels,  throwing  rockets,  and  keeping  up  a  constant  cannonade  ; 
while  sir  Sydney  landeil  below,  at  the  head  of  two  thousand  men, 
intending  to  march  up  and  gain  the  rear  of  the  Americans.  Ailmi- 
ral  Cockburn  was  so  warmly  received  l)y  major  C'rutchfield, 
the  oHicer  commanding  at  Hampton,  who  opened  u[)on  hin]  a 
few  pieces  of  artillery  ;  that  he  was  compelled  instantly  to  draw 
back,  and  conceal  himself  behind  a  point.  In  the  meanwhile, 
sir  Sydney  made  his  appearance,  and  was  severely  handled  by 
a  rille  company  under  captain  Servant,  which  had  been  posted 
in  a  wood,  near  which  he  had  to  pass.  Major  Crutchheld  soon 
after  drew  up  his  infantry  in  support  of  the  nllemen  ;  but  lind- 
ing  himself  unable  to  contend  ^vilh  numbers  so  superior,  he  made 
good  ills  retreat,  not  however  without  great  tlilliculty.  Cap- 
tain Pryor  had  been  left  to  command  the  battery  which  opposed 
the  enemy's  approach  from  sea.  'I'he  royal  marines,  having 
landed,  had  advaticed  within  sixty  yards  of  him  ;  and  his  corps, 
considering  their  situation  hopeless,  already  regarded  them- 
selves as  prisoners  of  war;  wlun,  ordering  the  guns  to  be  spiked, 
and  charging  upon  the  enemy,  he  threw  them  into  such  con- 
fusion, tlial  he  actually  eliected  his  esc;ipe  without  the  los.s 
of  a  sinjile  man.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  allair, 
amounted  to  seven  killed  and  twelve  wounded:  that  of  the 
British,  accorilingto  their  statement,  was  five  killed  and  thirly- 
ihree  wounded;  but  it  was  probably  much  more  considerble. 

Scarcely  was  this  village  in  the  possession  of  the  invaders, 
when  full  permission  was  given  to  the  troops  to  gratify  their 
worst  jiassions  and  propensities.  After  enacting  th'i  usual 
scenes  of  shameless  plunder  and  devastation,  they  proceeded  to 
ofier  violence  to  the  persons  of  those  of  the  unfortunate  inhabi- 
tants, whose  age,  sex  or  inlirmities  had  prevented  them  from 
escaping.  Was  there  no  liritish  oflicer  who,  on  this  occasion, 
fell  for  the  honour  of  his  country,  and  endeavoured,  at  the  risk 
of  his  life,  to  rescue  it  from  indelible  reproach  ?  It  seems  there 
was  not  one.  An  old  man  of  the  name  of  Kirby,  unable  to  rise 
from  his  bed,  was  set  upon  and  murdered  in  the  arms  of  his 
aged  wife,  who,  on  daring  to  remonstrate,  received  the  contents 
of  a  pistol  in  her  breast!  'i'o  complete  this  barbarous  act,  they 
wantonly  put  to  death  his  faithful  dog  !  Two  sick  men  were 
murdered  in  the  hospital ;  the  medical  stores  were  destroyed  ; 
and  the  wounded  who  fell  into  their  hands,  were  not  only  dc- 


I 


11 


■  \i 


I'd  Li    M^ 


i      'L 


132 


DRACKENRIDCSE'S 


(y'orreMpoiKli'iiie  Ix-twcMi  (irniriil  'I'liylur  ami  Hir  Hyiini-y  Iterkwltli. 


nicd  medical  aid,  but  even  Cdinmon  sustenance.  During  two 
days,  did  the  llrilish  thug  throw  aside,  not  merely  the  character 
of  sohlierp,  hut  of  men;  when,  Icarint^  «"»  Jittack  from  the 
neighbourinir  militia,  they  withdrew  with  such  precipitation, 
that  a  considerahle  (quantity  of  provisions  and  ammunition,  and 
some  of  their  men,  were  left  hehind. 

This  picture  is  by  no  means  overcharged.  It  is  founded  on 
authentic  evidence  submitted  to  a  committee  of  congress.  The 
feelings  of  the  people  of  Virginia  were,  if  possible,  more  ex- 
cited by  this  affair,  than  were  those  of  the  cili/ens  of  Kentucky 
at  the  massacre  by  Proctor.  General  Taylor,  who  commMiided 
the  station,  addressi  cl  a  letter  to  sir  Sydney  Heckwilh,  couched 
in  terms  of  dignified,  thrilling  eloquence,  such  as  the  feelings 
of  an  honoural>le  man  alone  can  dictate.  After  stating  the 
enormities  of  which  the  Drilish  had  been  guilty,  he  desired  to 
be  informed  of  the  nature  of  the  war  which  they  intended  to 
carry  on  against  the  United  Slates;  wluuher  the  scenes  enacted 
at  llampton  were  imaulhoris'ed  by  the  Oritish  government,  or 
whether  liiat  power  iiad  (uiiirely  thrown  aside  the  usages 
which  govern  civilized  nations  when  at  variance.  "  Worth- 
less," said  he,  "  is  the  laurel  steeped  in  female  tears,  and  joy- 
less the  conquests  which  have  inflicted  needless  woe  on  the 
peaceful  and  unresisting."  Sir  Sydney  replied,  that  he  was 
sorry  for  the  excesses  at  Hampton;  and  hoped  that,  in  future, 
the  war  would  be  carried  on  with  as  nuich  regaril  to  liunmnity 
as  possible.  'I'his  evasive  answer  was  not  deemed  satisfactory  ; 
and  one  more  explicit  was  required.  He  then  declared  that  the 
excesses  connnitiul  were  in  retaliation,  for  the  conduct  of  the 
Americans  at  Craney  island  in  shooting  at  the  seamen  who 
clung  to  a  barge  which  had  overset.  (Jencral  Taylor  imme- 
diately instituted  a  court  of  inquiry,  which  proved  the  charge 
to  be  without  f<  undation.  On  the  result  of  this  investigation 
being  communicated  to  sir  Sydney,  he  did  not  think  proper  to 
give  a  written  reply:  he  promised,  verbally,  to  withdrasv  his 
troops  from  the  neighbourhood  ;  excusing  hiinself,  on  the  score 
of  his  ignorance  of  the  kind  of  warfare  to  which  his  men 
had  been  accustomed  in  S[  ain ;  and  alleging,  that  as  soon  as  he 
found  them  engaged  in  the  excesses  complained  of,  he  had  given 
orders  for  them  to  re-endiark.  It  is  unpleasant  to  implicate 
admiral  Warren  and  sir  Sydney  Beckwilh  in  this  detestable 
affair;  but  there  was  in  the  conduct  of  thtoc  two  officers  a 
shameful  indilference  upon  a  subject  which  so  deeply  regarded 
the  character  of  the  British  government. 

The  squadron,  during  the  remainder  of  the  summer,  fre- 
quently threatened  the  cities  of  Washington,  Annapolis  and  Bal- 


timore.    ] 
drawn  out 
'i'his  was 
complaint: 
attcn)pting 
misforliMie 
ral  (Jockbi 
moving  to 
in  the  Cai 
which  he 
In  the  bcgi 
of  North   ( 
number  of 
conda  and 
tured.      T 
Newbern,  : 
in  such  in 
were  fruslr 
ceeded   to 
manner.     1 
and  a  nunil 
masters  uii 
redeemed  h 
To  the  iK 
graceful  dc 
exempt  froi 
slri(nly  bloi: 
Macedonia! 
from  that  | 
force  at  the 
passed  tlirui 
the  sound 
of  .lune,  aft 
don.     Six  1 
surrounding 
commodore 
tery  on  the 
as  to  enabh 
enemy.     T 
attempt  was 
kept  up  for 
It  is  plea 
who  commr 
that  of  Cocl 
parts  of  th( 

M 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


l.')3 


Cockhurn  ptiindrri  th«  Conil  nC  Nurtti  (.'Rrolina. 


limorc.  Larjji!  bodies  of  militia  were  on  several  occnsions 
drawn  out,  and  the  country  was  in  conxMpKin'e  rnnili  liara.sscd. 
'I'iiis  was  lair  and  jiixliriahlc  in  the  enemy,  and  is  no  Huhjeelof 
eoniphiint;  and  had  any  ol'onr  lounH  hei  n  laid  in  ashes  while 
alteinplinji;  a  resistanee,  it  would  have  been  re^rarded  only  as  a 
misfortune  of  war  which  the  enemy  had  a  ri^hl  to  inflict.  Admi- 
ral ('o(;kburn  was  permilled  to  puisne  his  own  inclination,  in 
moving  to  the  south  with  a  formidabh!  sipnuiron,  to  carry  on, 
in  the  Carolinas  and  (ieorjiia,  the  same  H|)(!cies  of  warfare 
which  he  had  so  snecessfnily  practised  in  Chesapeake  Hay. 
In  th(^  hejrinnin*,^  of  .July,  he  appeared  oil'  Ocracoke,  a  village 
of  North  (Carolina,  anil  shortly  after,  crossing  the  bar  with  a 
number  of  i)arges,  attackeil  two  pri\  ate  armed  vessels,  the  Ana- 
conda and  the  Alias,  which,  after  a  gallant  resist.mec,  he  cap- 
lured.  'J'he  revenue  cutter,  then  in  port,  made  her  escape  to 
Newbern,  and  giving  the  alarm  lo  the  citi/.i  ns,  they  assembled 
in  such  numbers  that  the  admiraT.s  designs  upon  that  town 
were  frustrated.  Landing  about  three  thousand  men,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  Portsmouth,  and  treated  its  inhabitants  in  his  usual 
manner.  He  ri^lurncd  to  his  barges  with  a  valuable  booty, 
and  a  number  of  slaves,  whom  lu;  had  induced  to  leave  their 
masters  under  a  promise  of  freedom,  which  he  afterwards 
redeemed  by  selling  them  in  the  AVe.u  Indies. 

'J'o  the  north  of  the  ChesajX'ake,  where  fortunately  these  dis- 
(rracefid  depredations  were  not  committed,  the  coast  was  not 
exempt  from  the  etlects  of  war.  'J'he  city  of  JSew  York  was 
strictly  blockaded.  The  American  frigates  United  States  and 
Macedonian,  and  the  slot)p  Hornet,  aliemptcd  lo  sail  on  a  cruise 
from  that  port  about  the  beginning  of  Alay  ;  but  finding  the 
force  at  the  Hook  mucl;  superior  lo  theirs,  they  put  back,  and 
passed  through  Hell  (late,  with  the  intention  of  getting  out  by 
the  sound.  In  this  they  were  also  frustrated  ;  and  on  the  1st 
of  .Tune,  after  another  attempt,  they  were  chased  into  New  Lon- 
don. Six  hundred  militia  were  immediately  called  in  from  the 
surrounding  country,  for  the  protection  of  the  squadron  ;  and 
commodore  Decatur,  landing  some  of  his  guns,  mounted  a  bat- 
tery on  the  shore,  and  at  the  same  time  so  lightened  his  vessels, 
as  to  enable  them  to  ascend  the  river  out  of  the  reach  of  the 
enemy,  'i'his  place  was  so  well  fortified,  however,  that  no 
attempt  was  made  upon  it,  although  the  blockade  was  strictly 
kept  up  for  many  months. 

It  is  pleasing  to  contrast  the  conduct  of  commodore  Hardy, 
who  commanded  the  squadron  north  of  the  Chesapeake,  with 
that  of  Cockburn.  Although  he  frequently  landed  on  different 
parts  of  the  coast ;    his  deportment  was   such  as  might  be 


^'s 


ti 


5     'H 


134 


BRACKENKIDGE'S 


Blockade  of  the  American  Squadron Torpedo  System. 


m 


expected  from  a  manly,  humane  and  gencn.ns  enemy.  If  the 
procedings  of  Cockhurn  were  authorised  by  his  government, 
they  were  dictated  by  a  very  mistaken  policy;  for  nothing  could 
more  eflectually  lieal  political  differences,  and  render  the  war  a 
common  cause  with  every  American. 

An  act  of  congress  had  been  passed  during  the  winter,  which 
cannot  be  mentioned  but  with  feelings  of  regret.  liy  this  act, 
a  reward  of  half  their  value,  was  offered  for  the  destruc- 
tion of  ships  belonging  to  the  enemy  by  means  other  than 
those  of  the  armed  or  commissioned  vessels  of  the  linited 
States.  'J'his  measure  was  intcndetl  to  encourage  the  use  of 
toipedoes,  of  which  so  much  at  that  time  was  said.  'I'liere  is 
something  unmanly  in  this  insidious  mode  of  nnnoyance.  It  is 
not  justiliable  for  defence  even  against  an  unsparing  foe;  and  is 
but  little  better  than  poisoning  fountains.  Valour  cnn  claim 
no  share  in  such  exploits ;  anti  to  the  nf)l)le  mind  little  pleasure 
can  be  derived  from  the  recollection  of  success  over  an  enemy 
treacherousl)'  vanquislieil.  It  had  been  in  the  power  of  general 
Sinclair,  in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  to  have  poisoned  his 
spiriiuf)us  licpiors  at  the  moment  of  his  defeat,  and  thus  to  have 
destroyed  a  cruel  enen^y  ;  but  shame  would  have  followed  the 
infliction  of  such  an  injury,  even  upon  savages. 

Several  attempts  at  blowing  up  the  enemy's  vessels  were 
mnde,  in  consequence  of  the  law.  'J'he  most  remarkable  were 
those  against  the  Hamillies,  the  admiral's  ship,  and  t!ie  Planta- 
genet.  'I'he  schooner  lOagle,  having  been  (illed  willi  ilour  bar- 
rels, and  a  quantity  of  gunpowder,  with  the  latter  of  which  a 
concealed  gun  lock  communicated,  w;is  thrown  in  the  way  of 
the  l)lockading  squadron's  boats.  Fortuiiatcly,  the  seamen, 
inslead  (tf  taking  her  alongside  of  the  Kamillies,  determined  iirst 
to  unlade  some  of  the  cargo  :  while  emj)loyed  in  doing  this, 
the  sciiooner  blew  up,  and  destroyed  several  of  her  captors. 
The  next  exjoerinient  made  with  tlie  torj^edo,  was  against  the 
Plantagonct,  then  lying  below  Norfolk.  After  four  or  five 
attempts,  in  which  the  persons  engaged  could  not  come  sulli- 
cieutly  near  the  ship  without  being  discovererl,  the  torpedo 
was  dropped  at  the  distance  of  a  hundred  yards,  and  left  to  be 
swe^jf  down  by  the  tide.  On  toucb.ing  the  vessel,  it  exploded 
in  the  most  awful  manner;  causing  an  immense  column  ol 
water  to  be  thrown  up,  which  fell  witli  vast  weight  upon  the 
deck  of  the  ship;  while  a  yawning  gulf  seemed  to  swallow 
her  up.  The  crew  immediately  took  to  their  boats,  completely 
panic  struck.  Commodore  Hardy  was  justly  indignant  at  this 
dishonourable  species  of  annoyance,  and  protested  against  it 
in  strong  terms.     It  had  the  eli'ect,  however,  of  compelling  the 


enemy  to 
hours;  ai 
their  app 
If  any  tli 
at  Ilamp 
but  conn 
diflerent 


.N.ival  AlVii 
of  t'aptaiii  L 
tlic  ('ii(sa|icn 
tlio  ("liosa|)t'; 
Criiiso  of  Co 
Cruise  of  Co 
vateors — of  t 
'lie  Doiiiiiiicc 

It  is  no 
sets  contii 
with  whi( 
Instead  ot 
avoided  C( 
superior, 
become  si 
enly-fours 
terms.  'J 
sensible  o 
the  last  sci 
vessels;  ? 
by  Lmniiii 
edly  wise 
army,  the 
Besides,  i 
tact  with  i 
territory  a 
prebend  a 
of  Spain  i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


135 


'J'oi  pedo  Systctn.. 


.Naval  Alliiirs 


enemy  to  be  extremely  cautious  in  their  :ippro;ich  to  our  har- 
bours; and  although  the  use  of  torpedoes  was  relinquished, 
their  apprehensions  served  to  kee[)  them  at  a  greater  distance. 
If  any  thing  couhl  justify  this  mode  of  attack,  it  was  the  scenes 
at  Hampton,  and  the  deportment  of  Cockburn  and  his  crew  ; 
but  comm()(h)re  Hardy  was  a  generous  enemy,  and  merited 
diflerent  treatment. 


0- 

} 

k 

CHAPTER    X. 


Naval  Ailhjrs — Tlie  Hornet  captures  the  I'eacork  — Humane  and  generous  Conduct 
of  Captain  Lawrence  and  llic  Crow  ol' the  Il(»rnet — «'a|)taiu  Lawrence;  appointed  to 
the  Chesajieake — The  Sliannon  challeni.'es  tlie  Che;i:ip«;ake — Tlie  Shannon  raptures 
the  ("hesajieake — Deatli  of  Captain  Lawrence — T'k-  I'cliran  captures  tlie  Argus- 
Cruise  of  ('oniiiiodore  Porter  in  tlie  South  Seas — The  Eiiterprize  captures  the  Boxer — 
Cruise  of  Coiiiiiioiiore  Rodders — (;rui*eof  the  Congress — I'onduct  of  American  Pri- 
vateers— of  liie  Comet — of  the  'General  Armstong — The  I'rivateer  Decatur  captures 
the  Dominica. 

It  is  now  time  to  return  to  tlic  aflV.irs  of  our  navy.  Our  ves- 
sels continued  to  annoy  the  enemy,  in  spite  of  ihe  thousand  ships 
with  which  she  pursued  them  in  squadrons  througli  every  sea. 
Instead  of  courting  an  engagement  wii!i  them,  she  studiously 
avoided  coming  in  contact,  except  wb.ere  her  force  was  greatly 
superior.  'I'hc  "firljiiilt  frigates"  of  America  iiad  suildenly 
become  ships  of  tlie  line,  and  Great  lJrit;iiii  cut  down  her  sev- 
enty-fours, that  her  vessels  might  engage  with  ours  on  equal 
terms.  The  government  of  the  United  Stales  had  become  so 
sensible  of  the  importance  of  oi>  marine,  that  congress,  during 
the  last  session,  had  authorised  the  building  oi" several  additional 
vessels;  and  it  was  proposed  to  continue  to  augment  our  navy, 
by  annu  il  appro})riations  for  the  purpose.  This  was  undoubt- 
edly wise  pt)licy;  for  whatever  we  may  fear  iVom  a  standing 
army,  there  can  be  no  similar  ground  of  objection  to  a  ravy. 
Besides,  it  is  only  on  that  element  that  we  can  come  in  con- 
tact with  an  enemy  of  consequence.  Fortunately  for  us,  our 
territory  adjoins  to  that  of  no  power,  Jrom  which  we  need  ap- 
prehend any  great  danger:  while  the  colonies  of  England  and 
of  Spain  might  have  reason  for  apprehension,  if  the  genius  of 


f ' 


m 


in 


136 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Tli(!  Ildrnet  captures  the  I'uacock. 


our  government  were  not  opposed  to  conquest.  On  the  ocean, 
however,  we  must  unavoitlably  come  in  contact  with  other  na- 
tions, so  long  as  we  pretend  to  hr.ve  commerce  ;  for  without 
a  navy  that  commerce  cannot  he  protected. 

In  our  last  chapter  on  the  naval  war,  it  was  mentioned,  that 
the  Hornet,  captain  Lawrence,  was  left  to  blockade  the  lionne 
Citoyenne,  at  St  Salva(U)r.  'I'his  latter  vessel  was  runnally 
challenged  by  the  Hornet :  but  either  from  unwillingncps  to 
risk  the  loss  of  a  quantity  of  specie  which  she  had  on  board, 
or  because  she  was  not  inclined  to  engage  in  the  combat  tiiough 
of  superior  force,  she  thought  proper  to  pay  no  attention  to  the 
challenge.  Commodore  Hainbridge  liad  parted  from  the  Hor- 
net at  this  place ;  and  it  will  be  recollected  how  gloriously  he 
met  the  .lava  and  captured  her  a  few  days  afterwards.  The 
Hornet  continued  the  blockade  until  the  24th  of  Janizary, 
when  the  Montague  seventy-four  hove  in  sigjit,  and  compelled 
her  to  escape  into  port.  She  ran  out,  however,  the  same 
night,  and  proceeded  on  a  cruise.  Her  commander  tirst 
shaped  his  course  to  I'ernambuco;  and  on  the  4lh  of  Febru- 
ary, captured  the  English  brig  Resolution,  of  ten  guns,  with 
twenty-three  tliousand  dollars  in  specie.  He  then  ran  down 
the  coast  of  Maraiduim,  cruised  off  there  a  sliort  time  ;  and 
thence  off  Surinam,  where  he  also  cruised  for  some  time;  and 
on  the  22d  stood  for  Demerara.  The  next  day,  he  discovered 
an  English  brig  of  war  lying  at  ancjinr  outside  of  the  bar,  and 
on  beating  round  the  Carabana  bank,  to  come  near  her,  he  dis- 
covered, at  half  past  th.ree  in  the  afternoon,  another  sail  on  his 
weather  (|iuirter,  edging  down  for  him.  This  j)roved  to  be  a 
large  man  of  war  brig,  the  Peacock,  captain  Peake,  somewhat 
superior  to  the  Hornet  in  force.  Captain  Lawrence  manceu- 
vred  some  time  to  gain  the  weather  gage  of  her;  but  his  ell'orls 
proving  fruitless,  he  hoisted  the  American  ensign,  tacked  about, 
and  in  passing  her,  exchanged  a  broadside  at  liie  distance  of  pis- 
tol shot.  The  Peacock  being  then  discovered  in  the  act  of 
wearing,  Lawrence  bore  up,  received  her  starboard  broadside, 
ran  her  close  on  board  on  the  starboard  quarter,  and  poured  into 
her  so  heavy  a  lire,  that  in  fifteen  minutes  she  surrendered. 
At  the  moment  of  her  surrender,  she  hoisted  a  signal  of  dis- 
tress; as  she  was  literally  cut  to  pieces,  and  had  already  six 
feet  water  in  her  hold. 

Lieutenant  Siuibrick,  the  gallantry  of  whose  conduct  in  this 
affair  was  not  less  conspicuous  than  in  the  actions  with  the  Guer- 
riere  and  Java,  was  despatched  to  bring  the  officers  and  crew  of 
the  vanquished  vessel  on  board  the  Hornet.  He  found  that 
her  captain  had  been  killed,  and  the  greater  part  of  her  crew 


Hmiiim 

either  kilh 
in  spite  of 
erlions  we 
her  guns  \\ 
and  a  parto 
incc'^santly 
of  these  ge 
carrying  d( 
can.     Thu 
tirst  in  the 
manity  ;  tii 
'I'lu'se  are 
lot  of  the  h 
their  cloth 
the  sinking 
the  generoi 
Lawrence  t 
expressed 
much,"  saj 
and  distrcs 
ceived  on  b 
express  ou 
ourselves  p 
tate,  was   a 
remedy  tlu 
enced,  fron 
and  clothes 
praise  is  w< 
elicited  it  is 
I'loKs  than 
may  be  ace 

'Phe  nun 
could  not  I 
tiftv;  while 
mentioned 
were  lieute 
Mayo,  Get 
Stewart  wa 

On  the  1 
the  Chesap' 
Her  comm; 
New  Yorki 

'I'he  Bri 
may  be  eas 
their  navy  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


137 


iluinuiie  ('ondiict  ot'Cnptain  I.awri'iiri',  [iiid  the  Crew  t)!' tlic  lldriict. 

either  killed  or  woimdecl ;  ;uid  tli;U  llio  vessel  was  sinking  fast, 
in  si)iie  of  every  effort  to  keep  her  above  water.  JStrenuous  ex- 
ertions were  made  to  take  ofl' the  crew  before  the  vessel  sunk  : 
her  guns  were  thrown  overboard,  the  shot  hok^s  were  |"/liijj[<rcd; 
and  a  parlof  the  Hornet's  crew,  at  the  riskof  their  lives,  la!)oiire(l 
ince^;santly  in  the  removal  of  the  prisoners.  'J'he  utmost  efforts 
of  these  generous  men  were  vain  ;  she  sunk  in  the  midst  ol'  them, 
carrying  down  nine  of  her  own  crew  and  three  of  the  Ameri- 
can. Thus  did  our  gallant  countrvmen  twice  ri^-k  their  lives: 
first  in  the  cause  of  their  country,  and  next  in  the  cause  of  hu- 
manity ;  first  to  conquer  their  enemies,  and  then  to  save  them. 
These  are  actions,  which  it  unfortunately  falls  too  rarely  It)  the 
lot  of  the  historian  to  record.  The  crew  of  the  Hornet  divided 
their  clothing  with  the  prisoners,  who  were  left  destitute  by 
the  sinking  of  the  ship  ;  and  so  sensible  were  the  officers  ol 
the  generous  treatment  which  they  experienced  from  ca])taiii 
Lawrence  and  his  men,  that,  on  their  arrival  at  New  York,  they 
expressed  their  gratitude  in  a  i)ublic  letter  of  thanks.  '•  So 
much,"  say  they,  "  was  done  to  alleviate  the  uncomfortable 
and  distressing  situation  in  which  we  were  placed,  when  re- 
ceived on  board  the  ship  you  commanil,  that  we  cannot  better 
express  our  feelings,  than  by  saying,  we  ceage<l  to  consider 
ourselves  prisoners;  and  every  thing  that  friendship  could  dic- 
tate, was  adopted  by  you  and  the  officers  of  the  Hornet,  to 
remedy  the  inconvenience  we  otherwise  shoiild  have  experi- 
enced, from  the  unavoidabh;  loss  of  the  whole  of  (jur  property 
and  clothes,  by  the  sudden  sinking  of  the  l^eacock."  This 
praise  is  worth  more  than  a  victory ;  and  the  conduct  which 
elicited  it  is  certainly  much  more  deserving  to  be  termed  «-/o- 
I'iovs  than  the  destruction  of  human  life,  on  whatever  scale  it 
may  be  accomplished. 

'J'he  number  of  killed  and  wounded,  (»n  hoard  the  Peacock, 
could  not  be  exactly  ascertained,  but  was  siipi)osed  to  exceeil 
tifty;  while  the  Hornet  received  but  little  injury.  'J'he  officers 
mentioned  as  having  distin<fuishcd  themselves  on  this  .ccasion, 
were  lieutenants  Conner  anil  i\ewton,aiul  midshipmen  ('ooper, 
Mayo,  Getz,  Smoot,  'J'ippet,  IJoerum  and  'J'itus.  Lieutenant 
Stewart  was  unfortunately  too  ill  to  take  a  part  in  the  action. 

On  the  lOth  of  April,  shortly  after  the  return  of  the  Hornet, 
the  Chesapeake  arrived  at  lioston,  after  a  cruise  of  four  months. 
Her  commander,  captain  Evans,  having  been  appointed  to  the 
New  York  station,  she  was  assigned  to  captain  I^awrence. 

'J'he  British,  whose  mortification  at  their  repeated  defeats 
may  be  easily  iniagii  .u,  and  who  rejjarded  the  reputation  of 
tiieir  navy  as  their  great  bulwark,  had  become  seriously  alarmed. 


)    Vk 


'"§ 


139 


IRHACKENRIDGE'S 


'J'lir  SliaiiMDii  ('li;ill('ii|:i'.s  tilt;  Cliesa|)(;ak<', 


If  the  charm  of  llieir  f>ncied  superiority  on  tliis  element  were 
once  destroyed,  other  nations,  who  now  yieUIed  to  them  Xlw 
palm,  might  conceive  the  idea  of  resistance  also.  In  some 
recent  rencounters,  even  tlie  French,  who  had  been  so  unfor- 
tunate in  their  naval  combats  with  the  liritisli,  had  begun 
to  pluck  up  courage.  Something  immediate  must  be  done  to 
retrieve  their  character,  or  all  their  naval  songs  must  be  burnt 
and  their  boastings  suddeidy  terminate.  'J'he  course  was  natur- 
ally fallen  upon  oi' selecting  one  of  their  best  frigates,  manned  by 
picked  seamen,  and  exercised  with  all  possible  pains,  for  the 
special  purpose.  They  deigned  to  copy  every  thing  which  in 
reality,  or  whicli  they  fancied,  prevailed  in  the  American  ships. 
An  idle  rumour  was  current,  that  backwoodsmen  were  placed 
in  the  tops  of  our  vessels,  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  shooting 
the  British  officers.  Sharpshooters  were  now  carefully  trained 
by  the  British,  and  directed  to  aim  only  at  the  ollicers  of  the 
Americans.  Thus  provided  with  a  chosen  ship  and  crew,  cap- 
tain Brooke  appeared  with  the  Shannon  on  the  American  coast. 
In  April,  off  Boston  harbour,  he  sent  a  challenge  to  the  President, 
commodore  Rodgers,  which  happened  to  be  there.  On  the  23d, 
this  vessel,  with  the  Congress,  captain  Smith,  sailed  on  a 
cruise  ;  but  the  Shannon,  then  in  couiininy  with  the  Tenedos, 
either  intentionally  avoided  them,  or  by  accident  happened  to 
be  out  of  the  way.  The  Shannon  some  time  afterwards  return- 
ed, and  sent  a  formal  challenge  to  captain  Lawrence,  who  had 
just  taken  the  command  of  the  Chesapeake,  whicii  unfortunately 
was  not  received  by  him. 

We  are  now  to  relate  an  occurrence  winch  imparts  a  melan- 
choly tone  to  our  naval  chronicle,  thus  far  so  brilliant.  Cap- 
tain Lawrence,  on  arriving  t  >  take  command  of  his  siiip,  was 
informed  that  a  British  frigate  was  lying  before  the  harbour, 
apparently  courting  a  combat  with  an  American.  Listening 
only  to  the  dictates  of  his  generous  nature,  he  burned  with 
impatience  to  meet  the  enemy,  and  unfortunately  did  not  sufli- 
ciently  pause  to  examine  whether  the  terms  were  equal.  The 
greater  part  of  the  Chesapeake's  crew  consisted  of  men  who 
had  just  been  enlisted;  several  of  his  officers  were  sick;  and 
that  kind  of  mutual  confidence,  which  arises  from  a  long  know- 
ledge of  each  other,  was  wanting  between  Jiimself  and  his 
men.  But  he  could  not  brook  the  thought  of  being  thus  de- 
fied. On  the  1st  of  June  he  sailed  forth,  resolved  to  try  his 
fortune.  When  he  came  in  sight  of  the  Shannon,  he  made  a 
short  address  to  his  crew,  but  found  it  received  with  no  enthu- 
siasm:  they  murmured,  alleging  as  the  cause  of  complaint  that 
their  prize  money  had  not  been  paid.     He  immediately  gave 


The  Sliai 

them  tickc 
but,  unforl 
mutiny, 
way  into 
The  brave 
the  enemy 
The  Sli 
was  follow 
with  theei 
It  proved 
was  panic 
master,  W 
ed;  and  li' 
rence  hims 
great  pain, 
broadside 
of  the  Che 
cers  contii 
mortally  w 
the    wheel 
could  no 
rigging;  lli 
starboard  ii 
decided  th 
enemy  to  i 
action,  to 
wounded, 
deck,  and ( 
ment  a  nv 
having  firs 
become  th( 
Ship.     T1 
killed,  the 
up  the  me 
into  execu 
vessel  had 
there  was 
which  reig 
marines  on 
tenant  But 
non ;  but  I 
ing  mutini 
continued 
received  a 
ship;  andl 


HISTORY  OF  TEIE   WAR. 


13U 


The  Shannon  captures  the  Cliesapeake Death  of  Captain  Lawrenre. 

ihem  tickets  for  it,  and  suppoaed  they  were  now  conciliated ; 
but,  unfortunately,  they  were  at  this  moment  almost  in  a  state  of 
mutiny.  Several  foreiirners,  who  Juul  accidentally  found  their 
way  into  the  crew,  hud  succeeded  in  poisoninir  their  minds. 
The  brave  Lawrence,  consulting  his  own  heart,  looked  only  to 
the  enemy  witliout,  and  not  to  the  enemy  within. 

The  Shannon,  observing  tiie  Chesapeake,  put  to  sea,  and 
was  followed  by  her.  At  half  past  five,  the  ('hcsapeake  closed 
with  the  enemy,  and  gave  him  a  broadside;  which  was  returned. 
It  proved  equally  destructive  on  both  sides  ;  but  the  Chesapeake 
was  particularly  unfortunate  in  the  loss  of  ofFicers :  the  sailing- 
master.  White,  was  killed;  lieutenant  IJallard,  mortally  wound- 
ed; and  lieutenant  Brown  of  the  marines,  and  Captain  Law- 
rence himself,  were  severely  wounded.  The  latter,  alth  iigh  in 
great  pain,  still  continued  to  give  orders.  A  second  a*  -i  third 
broadside  were  exchanged,  with  evident  ad'  ..ntage  c  -  vhe  side 
of  the  Chesapeake;  but  t)ie  same  misfortune  in  the  loss  of  offi- 
cers continued  :  the  first  lieutenant,  Ludlow,  was  carried  below 
mortally  wounded;  and  three  men  successively  were  shot  from 
the  wheel.  A  ball  having  struck  her  foresail,  so  that  she 
could  no  longer  answer  her  helm;  and  being  disabled  in  her 
rigging;  the  Chesapeake  fell  with  her  quarter  on  the  Shannon's 
starboard  anchor.  This  accident  may  be  considered  as  having 
decided  the  contest;  an  opportunity  being  thus  given  to  the 
enemy  to  rake  the  Chesapeake,  and,  towards  the  close  of  the 
action,  to  board  her.  Captain  Lawrence,  although  severely 
wounded,  as  before  mentioned,  still  persisted  in  keeping  the 
deck,  and  commanded  the  boarders  to  be  called  up:  at  this  mo- 
ment a  musket  ball  entering  his  body,  he  was  carried  below, 
having  tlrst  uttered  those  memorable  words,  M'hich  have  since 
become  the  motto  of  the  American  navy,  Don't  givl  up  tiik 
Ship,  'i'he  officers  of  the  Chesapeake  being  now  nearly  all 
killed,  the  command  devolved  on  lieutenant  Budd  ;  who  called 
up  the  men  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  the  order  of  Lawrence 
into  execution.  At  this  time,  captain  Brooke,  finding  that  his 
vessel  had  received  so  many  shots  between  wind  and  water  that 
there  was  danger  of  her  sinking,  and  perceiving  the  confusion 
which  reigned  on  board  the  American  ship,  threw  twenty  of  his 
marines  on  board  of  her,  and  immediately  lollowed  them.  Lieu- 
tenant Budd  endeavoured  to  shoot  his  vessel  clear  of  the  Shan- 
non ;  but  being  soon  after  wounded,  and  a  part  of  the  crew  hav- 
ing mutinied,  the  scheme  entirely  failed.  A  number,  however, 
continued  to  fight  with  unalterable  resolution.  Captain  Brooke 
received  a  wound  in  the  head,  and  was  carried  on  board  his  own 
ship;  and  lieutenant  Watt,  who  succeeded  him  in  the  command, 


140 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


The  Hhannoii  captures  the  ChcHapcnkc. 


was  killed  ;  hut  a  larsre  reinforcement  coming  to  the  assistance 
of  the  enemy,  they  trained  possession  of  the  deck,  and  soon 
after  hoisted  the  English  llajr. 

In  this  sariiTuinary  conllict,  twenty-three  of  tlie  enemy  were 
killed,  an(!  (Ifiy-six  woiiuled:  among  the  killed,  her  first  lieu- 
tenant, her  clerk  and  purser;  and  among  the  wounded,  her 
captain.  On  board  the  Chesapeake,  the  caj)tain,  the  lirst  and 
fourth  lieutenants,  the  lieutenant  of  marines,  the  master,  mid- 
shipmen Ifnpi'well,  Livingston,  Evans,  and  abcut  seventy 
men  wore  killed  ;  and  the  second  and  third  lieutenanls,  midship- 
men Weaver.  Abbot,  rsicholls,  IJorry,  and  about  eighty  men, 
woiHuIeil.  'J'he  greater  ]iroi)orli()n  of  this  loss  was  sustained 
after  the  enemy  had  gained  the  deck.  'J'he  IJritish  have  been 
charged  with  cruel  and  ungenerous  conduct  towards  the  van- 
quished ;  and  we  could  wish  that  this  charge,  if  untrue,  had 
been  ])roperlv  repelled.  It  is  said  tiiat,  after  tlie  Americans 
had  submitted,  the  work  of  desl'.-uction  was  continued  ;  and 
that  the  treatment  of  the  prisoners  was  not  of  that  liberal  cha- 
racter which  mijrht  have  been  expected  from  manly  victors. 
The  generosity  of  their  s\d)sequent  conduct  leads  us  to  hope 
that  these  complaints  were  unfounded.  The  bodies  of  our 
naval  heroes,  Lawrence  and  Ludlow,  on  their  arrival  at  Hali- 
fax, were  interred  with  every  honour,  civil,  naval  and  mili- 
tary, wiiich  could  be  bestowed;  and  no  testimony  of  respect 
that  was  due  to  their  memories  was  left  unpaid.  They  were 
afterwards  broushi  to  the  United  Stales,  by  Mr  Crowninsiiield 
of  Boston,  at  his  own  expense,  in  a  vessel  manned  by  twelve 
masters  of  vessels,  who  vidunteered  their  services  for  the  occa- 
sion; a  passport  having  been  readily  granted  i\n'  this  purpose 
by  commodore  FLirdy. 

The  loss  of  the  Chesapeake  has  beeij  attributed  to  the  acci- 
deiit  of  her  fallinir  on  iioard  the  Shannon,  and  to  the  mutinous 
state  of  her  crew.  She  was  somewliat  inferior  in  force  also: 
but  this  ought  not  lo  be  taken  into  consideration;  for  until  the 
fatal  accident,  the  advantage  in  the  contest  was  decidedly  hers. 

Never  did  any  victory — not  the  victories  of  Wellington  in 
Spain,  nor  even  those  of  Nelson — call  forth  such  expres- 
sions of  joy,  on  the  part  (d'  the  liritish  ;  a  proof  that  our  naval 
character  had  risen  somewhat  in  their  estimation.  In  the 
United  States  it  was  regarded  as  an  occurrence  which  proved 
no  superiority  in  the  enemy  :  and  it  was  lamented  chiefly  for 
th(»  loss  of  our  brave  officers. 

'i'lie  ''  e  of  fortune  seemed  for  a  short  lime  lo  ?et  in  favour  of 
Great  Britain.  On  the  4th  of  August,  another  of  our  national 
vessels  was  captured  by  the  enemy.     The  Argus,  after  carry- 


ing out  Mr 
1813,  proc 
nel,  where 
vock  on  th 
cause,  that 
surance  on 
The  Britis 
suies  for  dr 
in  the  mori 
force  than  ti 
then  on  lire 
o'clock,  the 
the  Pelican 
captain  AUc 
on  deck  uni 
carried  belo 
half  past  si 
der  her  aim 
wounded  in 
William  H 
defeated  the 
At  thirty-fi\ 
ropes  and  ri 
the  Pelican 
of  the  Argus 
thing  but  mi 
At  forly-sev 
of  six  killei 
there  were  1 
midshipmei 
England,  ai 
Pelican  waj 
the  victory 
English.  ( 
pelled  to  su 
was  justly  ; 
to  his  couni 
By  letter; 
from  captai 
in  the  Sou 
He  had  acti 
captured  oi 
marque;  an 
may  be  reg 
tie   doubt,  1 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


141 


The  Pelican  captures  the  Argils. 


in^  out  Mr  (hawford,  our  minister  to  France,  in  the  spring  of 
1813,  proceetletl,  early  in  June,  to  cruise  in  the  British  chan- 
nel, where  she  continued  (or  two  months  to  commit  great  ha- 
vock  on  the  liritish  shipping.  80  much  uneasiness  did  she 
cause,  that  the  English  merchants  were  unable  to  ertect  an  in- 
surance on  their  vessels,  under  throe  times  the  usual  premium. 
The  British  government  was  induced,  at  last,  to  adopt  mea- 
sures lor  driving  oil' this  daring  eiuniy.  On  the  11th,  at  four 
in  the  morning,  the  Pelican,  a  British  sloop  of  war  of  greater 
force  than  the  Argus,  obtained  sight  of  her  by  the  light  of  a  brig 
then  on  lire;  and  immediately  pn^pared  to  attack  lier.  At  five 
o'clock,  the  action  commenced  at  the  distance  of  nmsket  shot; 
the  Pelican  liavinw  the  weather  H'Mie.  At  the  lirst  broadside 
captain  Allen,  of  the  Argus,  fell,  severely  wounded,  but  remained 
on  deck  until  several  broadsides  were  exchanged,  when  he  was 
carried  below,  leaving  the  command  to  lieutenant  Watson.  At 
half  past  six,  the  rigging  of  the  Argus  was  so  cut  up,  as  to  ren- 
der her  almost  unmanageable;  and  the  lieutenant  was  severely 
wounded  in  tlie  head.  The  command  now  devolved  on  lieutenant 
William  H.  Allen,  Jun.,  who  for  some  time,  by  great  exertion, 
defeated  the  attempts  of  the  Pelican  to  gain  a  raking  position. 
At  thirty-live  minutes  past  six,  the  Argus,  having  lost  her  wheel 
ropes  and  running  rigging  could  no  longer  be  manoeuvred;  and 
the  Pelican  having  cliosen  a  position  in  which  none  of  the  guns 
of  the  Argus  could  be  brought  to  bear  upon  her,  the  latter  had  no- 
thing but  musketry  to  oj)pose  to  the  raking  broadsides  of  tlie  other. 
At  forty-seven  minutes  past  six,  she  surrenilered,  with  the  loss 
of  six  killed  and  seventeen  wounded.  On  board  the  Pelican, 
there  were  three  killed,  and  live  wounded.  Captain  Allen,  and 
midshipmen  Delphy  and  Edwards,  died  soon  afterwards  in 
England,  and  were  all  interred  with  the  honours  of  war.  The 
Pelican  was  a  sloop  of  twenty  guns,  the  Argus  of  eiirhteen;  but 
the  victory,  in  this  instance,  may  fairly  be  awarded  to  the 
English.  Our  ofKcers  and  men  did  their  duty;  but  were  com- 
pelled to  submit  to  a  more  fortunate  adversary.  Captain  Allen 
was  justly  a  favourite  in  this  country,  and  his  memory  is  dear 
to  Jiis  countrymen. 

By  letters  dated  early  in  July,  news  reached  the  United  States 
from  captain  Porter,  tlialhe  had  captured  several  British  vessels 
in  the  South  Seas,  and  was  then  cruising  with  great  success. 
He  had  actually  created  a  fleet  of  nine  sail,  by  means  of  vessels 
captured  on  those  seas,  eight  of  which  had  been  letters  of 
marque;  and  was  completely  master  of  the  Pacilic  ocean.  'I'his 
may  be  regarded  as  a  novelty  in  naval  liistory;  and  there  is  lit- 
tle  doubt,  had  it  been  performed  by  an  English  naval  com- 


:  1, 

Ml 

J 

f 

'^ 


i 

It    ■ 


142 


liUACKENRIDGE'S 


('riiisccif  INirtfir  in  the  South  Si-ns. 


TIk!  Enterprise  captures  the  Boxer. 


mandoi',  that  it  would  liave  been  applautlcd  to  the  skies.  By 
iioiu!  ol'  our  coniniaiulcrs  was  there  so  much  injury  done  to 
British  coiiiuicn  e ;  and  ai;ainst  none  of"  them  wt>ro  our  enemies 
so  prol'use  in  their  invectives.  On  the  list  of  his  captures  were 
two  line  iMiylish  ships,  pierced  for  twenty  guns  and  carrying  be- 
tween them  sixteen,  with  fifty-five  men,  and  having  on  board 
a  considerable  sum  in  specie.  On  the  20th  of  March,  he  fell 
i:;  with  a  Spanish  ship,  the  Nereyda,  wiiich  had  been  engaged 
in  capturing  American  ships:  he  took  the  liberty  of  throwing 
her  guns  overboard,  and  liberating  the  shijis  and  prisoners  which 
the  pirale  hatl  captured.  This  is  j)robal)ly  one  of  the  grounds 
upon  which  commodore  Porter  was  denominated  a  bucanier  by 
the  British. 

The  enemy  were  not  long  permitted  to  rejoice  in  the  con- 
quest ol' the  Argus:  victory  once  more  returned  to  the  side  of 
justice,  "iVee  trade  and  sailors'  rights."  The  American  brig 
i'Jnterprize,  lieutenant  commandant  William  Burrows,  sailed 
Irom  l*ortsni()utii  on  a  cruise,  about  the  1st  of  September.  On 
the  5th,  a  large  man  of  war  brig  was  discovered,  to  which  she 
gave  chase.  The  enemy,  after  firing  some  guns,  stood  for 
the  Enterprize  with  several  ensigns  hoisteil.  She  proved  to  be 
the  Boxer,  of  a  f(a-ce  somewhat  superior  to  that  of  the  Enter- 
prize. A  little  after  three,  the  tiring  commenced  oil  both  sides, 
within  pistol  shot.  After  the  action  had  continued  fifteen  min- 
utes, the  Enterprize  ranged  ahead,  and  raked  her  for  the  space 
of  twenty  minutes.  At  the  end  of  this  period,  the  enemy 
ceased  tiring,  and  cried  for  quarter;  being  unable  to  haul  down 
her  Hag,  as  it  had  been  nailed  to  the  mast.  'I'he  Enterprize  had 
thirteen  wounded  and  one  killed,  but  that  one  was  the  lamented 
Burrows.  He  fell  at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  but 
refused  to  cpiit  the  deck.  He  had  requested  that  the  flag  might 
never  be  struck  ;  and  when  the  sword  of  the  eitemy  was  pre- 
sented to  him,  he  clasped  it  to  his  breast,  and  exclaimed  with 
enthusiasm,  "I  die  contented."  Then,  and  not  till  then,  would 
he  permit  himself  to  be  carried  below.  The  Brilisii  loss  was 
much  more  considerable,  but  was  not  properly  ascertained  :  it 
was  supposed,  however,  that  between  thirty  and  forty  of  the 
crew  of  the  Boxer  were  killed  and  wouiuled;  among  the  former 
her  commander,  captain  Blythe.  The  bravado  of  nailing  the 
flag  to  the  mast  was  an  additional  proof  of  the  new  light  in 
which  the  Ameritians  were  now  held  by  an  enemy,  which  be- 
fore aflccted  to  despise  them.  The  two  commanders,  both  most 
promisino  younjn  nien,  were  interred  beside  each  other,  at  Port- 
land, with  military  honours. 

On  the  30lli  of  September,  the  President,  commodore  Rod- 


('riiico  of  Ro 

gers,  arrivet 
usual  length 
with  the  Coi 
without  any 
the  Congres 
to  intercept 
no  success, 
until  the  0th 
vessels.     If 
made  four  c 
next  cruisec 
Channel,   w 
of  provision 
Thence  he  s 
from  Archan 
mentary  exp 
ship  of  the  li 
his  escape,  1 
passing  out  ( 
made  three  ( 
rior  force  nc 
steering  for 
there.     On 
manner,  the 
ren.     On  he 
signal,   wliic 
British  sign 
was    caplurt 
and   admiral 
commodore 
He  soon  afti 
The  Coiij 
at    sea    unti 
Portsmouth, 
coast  of  So 
enemy's  ve 
guns  each. 

It  has  all 
sea,  was  su 
were  nuniei 
ted  themsel 
notice.  Tl 
with  the  fo 
share  of  apj 
among  man 


^^^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


143 


Cniipcof  Rodpers — of  thr  ronuress Conduct  of  Amrriran  PrivntcerH. 


gers,  arrived  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  after  a  cniise  of  un- 
usual lenjftli.    He  had  put  to  sea  on  iheHOih  of  April,  in  company 
with  the  Congress,  captain  Smith.     After  cruising  oU'  our  coast 
without  any  important  oeciirrcnce,  the  commodore  parted  from 
the  Congress  on  tiie  8lh  of  May,  and  shaped  his  course  so  as 
to  intercept  the  Hritish  trade  in  tlie  West  Indies.     Meeting  with 
no  success,  he  stood  towards  the  Azores,  where  he  continued 
until  the  (Ith  of  June,  without  encountering  any  of  the  enemy's 
vessels.     He    now   sailed    iri   the  direction    of   Mnjjhuid;    and 
made  four  captures    between  the  J)th    and    \'.U]\  of  .Iiiue.      Ur 
next  cruised  in  the  track  from  Newfoundland  to  St  (Jeorire's 
Channel,   without    meeting    a  single  vca^cd;    and   being  short 
of  provisions,   j)ut  into  North    neriren  on   the  '^Tth   of  .Fune. 
Thence  he  steered  towards  the  Orkneys,  to  intercept  a  convoy 
from  Archangel;  but  al)out    the  middle  of  .Tuly,  when  iti  mo- 
mentary e.\p(!Clation  of  meeting  with   it,   he  was  chased   by  a 
ship  of  the  line  aiul  a  frigate  for  several  days.     Having  elTectcd 
his  escajie,  he  next  placed  himself  in  the  direction  of  the  trade 
passing  out  (jf  and  into  the  Irish  Chaiuiel.      In  this  jiosition  he 
made  three  captures  ;  when  finding  that  the  enemy  had  a  supe- 
rior force  near  at  hand,  he  made  a  circuit  round  Ireland,  and 
steering  for  the  l^uiks  of  Newfoundland,   made  two  captures 
there.     On  the  2.'}il  of  S(^ptem!)er  he  captured,  in   a  sinirnlar 
manner,  the  liritish  schooner  llighllyer,  tender  to  admiral  War- 
ren.     On  her  apj)roach  to  the  President,  she  hoisted  a  private 
signal,   which  was  answered  by  one   that  chanced   to  be  the 
IJrilish  signal  for  that  day:    she  accordingly  bore  down  and 
was    captured.     By  this    means    the    British    private  signals, 
and   admiral   Warren's   instructions,  were   obtained  ;   and    the 
commodore  was  enabled  to  avoid  their  squadrons  on  the  coast. 
He  soon  after  arrived  at  Newport. 

The  Congress,  after  parting  from  the  President,  continued 
at  sea  until  the  Pith  of  Decemlier,  when  she  arrived  at 
Portsmouth,  New  Ilamj)shire.  She  had  cruised  chiefly  on  the 
coast  of  South  America,  and  had  cajUured  a  number  of  the 
enemy's  vessels,  among  which  were  two  armed  brigs  of  ten 
guns  each. 

It  has  already  been  said,  that  the  character  ol"  our  flag  at 
sea,  was  supported  not  merely  by  our  national  vessels  :  there 
were  numerous  instances  in  which  our  private  cruisers  acquit- 
ted themselves  in  a  manner  which  entitled  them  to  honourable 
notice.  The  public  attention,  however,  was  so  nuudi  occupied 
with  the  former,  that  the  latter  perhaps  did  not  receive  a  due 
share  of  applause,  A  few  instances  may  now  be  selected  from 
among  many.     Perhaps  no  action  during  the  war  displayed 


•1 


K 


i!  I' 


u 


!tr 


:r 


144 


BUACKENRIDGF/S 


Aincrirnii  i'riviitccrH Tliu  I><!('iiturcii|)liirt'H  tin;  l)<iiiiiiiirR. 


more  dariiif?  co\ir:i|ic,  niul  greater  snperiorily  of  seainanship, 
than  the  engafremeiitofoaplaiii  Hoyle,  of  tlieComet,  with  a  Por- 
tuguese brig,  and  three  armed  merchantmen.  After  eneonnler- 
ing  them  all,  and  fighting  them  for  several  hours,  he  compelled 
one  of  the  merchantmen  to  surrender,  and  the  hrig  to  sheer  off, 
althougii  of  double  the  force  of  the  Comet.  'I'his  would  appear 
almost  incredible,  if  the  details  were  not  perfectly  authenticated. 

On  th(!  llth  of  March,  olf  Surinam,  the  General  Armstrong 
discovered  a  sail  which  she  supposed  to  be  a  letter  of  marque, 
and  after  giving  her  a  broadside,  and  wearing  to  give  ain)lh8r, 
to  her  surprise  she  found  Jierself  alongside  ol'  a  frigate,  which 
soon  opened  such  a  lieavy  fire,  as  would  have  sunk  the 
schooner,  had  she  not  succeeded  in  making  iier  escape. 

On  the  15th  of  August,  the  privateer  I)e(!atur,  being  on  a 
cruise,  discovered  a  ship  and  a  schooner  :  the  (irst  proved  to 
he  ib.e  British  packet,  the  Princess  Charlotte;  the  other  the 
British  vessel  of  war,  the  Dominica.  She  immediately  stood 
towards  them,  and  soon  found  herself  alireast  of  the  schooner, 
lioth  vessels  continued  to  mancruvre  for  two  or  three  hours; 
the  Dominica  endeavouring  to  escape,  and  the  Decatur  to 
board:  dinging  which  tinn;  several  broadsides  were  fired  by  the 
former,  and  some  sliot  from  the  large  gun  of  the  latter.  The 
Decatur  at  last  succeeded  in  boarding;  a  number  of  her  men 
passing  by  means  of  her  bowsprit  into  the  stern  of  the  enemy. 
The  fire  from  the  artillery  and  musquctry  was  now  terrible, 
being  wi'il  sui)ported  on  both  sides.  The  Dominica  not  being 
able  to  disengage  herself,  dropped  alongside,  and  was  boarded 
by  the  whole  crew  of  the  Decatur.  Firearms  now  became 
useless,  and  the  crews  fought  hand  to  hand  with  cutlasses. 
The  ollicers  of  the  Dominica  being  all  killed  or  wounded,  she 
was  forced  to  surrender.  As  soon  as  the  combat  was  over,  the 
J*rincess  Charlotte  tacked  about  and  escaped. 

The  Decatur  was  armed  with  six  twelve-pound  carronades, 
and  one  eighteen-pounder  on  a  pivot,  with  one  hundred  and 
three  men.  Her  loss  was  three  killed,  and  sixteen  wounded. 
'J'he  Dominica  had  twelve  twelve-pound  carronades,  two  long 
sixes,  one  brass  four-pounder,  and  one  thirty-two  pound  car- 
ronade  on  a  pivot,  with  eighty-three  men.  She  had  thirteen 
killed,  and  forty-seven  wounded.  'JMie  surviving  ofTicers  of 
the  Dominica  attributed  their  defeat  to  the  masterly  manceu- 
vring  of  the  Decatur,  and  the  superior  skill  of  lier  crew  in  the 
use  of  musketry.  The  captain  of  the  Dominica,  a  young 
man  of  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  was  wounded  early  in 
the  action  ;  but  he  fought  to  the  last  moment,  declaring  that  he 
would  surrender  his  vessel  only  with  his  life. 


Affiiirs  of  t 

The  Dec 
20th  of  Auf 
our  brave  t: 
The  surviv 
terms  of  tl 
from  the  vici 


n 


Afl'uirs  (if  the  A 
—Character  (if  til 
—  Iluinaiie  Cdiid 
Preparations  on 
Erii!— (Jallant  Ht 
western  Army  r 
Thames— Captui 
cumseli— C'liarac 
of  Uespeet  to  (je 
Savag(!S — L'orres: 

In  the  m 

northern  fro 
preparations 
spring  and  i 
incident  in  t 
inactively, 
with  much  i 
Lawrence  re 
tive  results 
command  o 
quences  of 
themselves; 
George,  we 
which  Proci 
might  gain. 
In  the  n 
of  Kentuck 
Had  it  beer 
almost  ever 

N 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


145 


Aflniiniof  the  West Patriotic  Rnthiiainim  of  Ohioand  Kentucky. 

The  Decatur  arrived  at  CliJirlcsiowii  with  her  prize,  on  the 
20lh  of  August.  It  IS  pleasing  to  record,  that  iti  this  instance 
our  brave  tars  did  not  depart  IVoin  their  accustomed  generosity. 
The  surviving  oilicers  ol'  the  Dotninica  spoke;  in  the  highest 
terms  of  the  liunianity  and  ulieniiou  \vhich  they  experienced 
from  the  victors. 


•« 


■!;1 


CHAPTER  XI. 


Aflalrs  of  the  West — Patriotic  Kntimxiasniof  Ojijo  and  Ki  ntiirlty— r.ovprnor  Pliclliy 
— Cliaracteroftlic  Kttitui  kians— (;allaiit  DiMrncf  {>(  Fort  Sai,iliiKl<>  liy  Major  Croghnii 
— Hiiinain' Conduct  ol'tlic  Hcsicpeil — 'J'fciiiiisfli  rais<.'s  tin;  f  jufi"  ofl-'ort  .Mi'j>»s — Naval 
I'r('|)aratioiis  on  Laiti'  Erio — ('(niiiiMnlnrc  l'i'rr>  sails  uiili  lils  t'Icct — liattlo  of  ].ali(! 
Eric — Gallant  Ik'liaviuur  of  IVrr) — Capiim'  of  the  llni-mj's  \\  liolo  .-iiuailron — Xortli- 
western  Army  reinforced — Capture  of  Maiden— !*l<irwii.sli  at  Ciiatliain— Hattlc  of  the 
Thames — Capture  of  llie  Kritish  Ucu'iilars — Culoncl  .Inhn'nn  UDiiiided — Kcatli  of  Te- 
cumseh— Cliaracter  of  Tetuniseli — i;.scape  of  (Jcncral  I'roctor— I'liblic  'I'estimonials 
of  Respect  to  General  Harrison — tJeneroiisTnaimt  nt  of  the  Uritish  I'risoners — of  the 
Savages — Correspondence  between  (Jeneral  llanisoii  and  (Jtnt  ml  Vincent. 

In  the  midst  of  the  various  ocfurrcnccs  of  th.e  war  on  the 
northern  frontier,  on  the  seabord  and  on  tlie  ocean,  important 
preparations  were  making  to  the  westward;  and  althougli  the 
spring  and  summer  had  elapsed  without  tlie  oiMiurrencc  of  any 
incident  in  this  quarter  worthy  of  record,  they  had  not  passed 
inactively.  The  general  attention  was  now  luiiicd  ti  wards  it 
with  much  anxiety;  and  the  armies  of  the  Niagara  and  iho  St 
Lawrence  remained  almost  with  folded  arms,  awaiting  the  respec- 
tive results  of  Harrison's  campaign,  and  of  the  contest  for  the 
command  of  Lake  Eric.  'J'iie  British,  aware  of  the  conse- 
quences of  defeat,  laboured  with  great  assiduity  to  strengthen 
themselves;  and  the  reinforcements  continually  arriving  at  Fort 
George,  were  evidently  destined  to  follow  up  the  advantages 
which  Proctor,  in  conjunction  with  the  commander  on  the  lake, 
might  gain. 

In  the  meanwhile,  the  people  of  the  neighbouring  states 
of  Kentucky  and  Ohio  were  excited  in  a  surprising  degree. 
Had  it  been  necessary,  they  would  have  risen  en  masse :  for 
almost  every  man  capable  of  bearing  a  musket,  was  ready  to 

N 


:>:|i 


'5  1 


iA 


L*' 


^m 

■'  1 

^'■^  m 

'if! '  ■  '     uWi 

■1/ 


14(; 


niJA(Ki:NUii)(;r/s 


(;iivt'rnor  i^ihi-lliy ( 'hnrnrlcr  of  t  lie  KiiitiirklaiiN. 


march.  'I'lie  (fovcriior  of  Ohio  had  scarce  issued  hi.s  proda- 
malioii  for  vohintci-rs  (I'orthj;  h'j;:d  ohli^alioii  to  render  niilitary 
servici!  was  no  hiiiffcr  enlorced),  when  hlueii  lht)ii.saii(l  men, 
completely  armed  and  ecjuipped — a  number  live  limes  greater 
than  was  re(|nired — prcfsenled  ihemselves.  'J'he  venerable 
/governor  of  Kenlmtky,  Shelhy,  a  revohilionary  hero,  and  the 
Nestor  of  th(!  war,  maih'  ii  known  that  he  woiihl  put  himself 
at  the  head  of  the  injured  ciii/en.s  of  that  stat(,',  and  U-ad  them 
to  seek  revenfie  for  the  murder  of  their  rehitives  and  Iriends  ; 
l)ut  he  limited  the  nund)er  of  v(diinleers  t(»  four  thousand. 
Tliu  territory  end)raced  hy  the  state  of  Kentucky,  called  hy 
the  natives  "  tlie  dark  iuul  hloody  irround,"  sixty  years  aj^o  was 
an  uninhal)ite(l  forest;  and  had  heen,  from  time  immemorial,  the 
llieatre  of  sanujuinary  Indian  w  ais.  At  this  day,  it  hlooms  be- 
neath the  hand  of  aLniculture  ;  ami  is  tilled  with  heautifid  towns 
and  villajres — the  abodes  of  |)eace  and  opidence.  'J'he  inha- 
bitants are  derived  j)rincipally  from  those  of  \'ir;£inia  antl 
North  Carolina.  Living  in  ahimdance  and  at  their  ease,  anil 
remote  from  the  scats  of  commerce,  they  had  iml)ibed  less  of 
foreign  attachments  and  feelint:'s,  than  any  of  our  peoj)le  ;  and 
were  imbued  with  a  |)urer  eiithtisi;ism  for  the  institutions  of 
freedom.  To  an  enlightened  manliness  of  mind,  they  united  a 
romantic  cast  of  character,  arising  from  the  independence  of 
their  situation  and  tlu;  absence  of  too  close  an  intercourse  with 
the  sordid  world.  J'ossessing  not  a  little  of  th<'  chivalric  in  their 
generous  and  hosj)ital)le  dcijoriment,  and  fearing  dishonour  more 
than  danger;  they  were  benevolent  and  ilisinterested  in  the 
extreme.  Had  the  elder  brethren  of  our  confederacy  acted  in 
any  respect  as  did  this  younger  member,  the  Canadas  would 
have  been  ours. 

'The  transactions  which  arc  now  to  be  related,  mav  justlv  be 
ranked  among  the  most  pleasing  to  our  national  pride,  of  any 
which  took  place  during  the  war.  The  campaign  opened  with 
an  affair,  which,  though  comparatively  of  small  conseiiuence, 
was  characterized  by  the  most  brilliant  bravery.  This  was  the 
unparalleled  defence  of  Fort  Sandusky,  hy  a  youth  of  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  In  August,  and  before  the  arrival  of  thcOiiio 
and  Kentucky  volunteers,  which  did  not  take  place  until  the 
following  month,  threatening  movements  had  been  made  upon 
all  the  dilferenl  forts  established  by  the  Americans  on  the  rivers 
which  fall  into  Lake  Erie.  After  the  siege  of  Fori  Meigs,  the 
British  had  received  considerable  reinforcements  of  regular 
troops,  and  also  of  Indians  under  tlieir  great  leader  Tecumsch. 
It  was  all  important  to  reduce  these  forts  iiefore  the  arrival  of  the 
American  volunteers.   Major  Croghan,  then  commanding  at  Up- 


IIISJDKV  OF  THE   UAK. 


147 


De 


(iallaiit  Iti'ii'iH'c  (iT  Flirt  ."^iiiitliiNk)  li\  Miijor  t 'rouliaii. 

jier  Sandusky,  havinjr  reccivcil  inliinaiioiiM  that  llu;  enemy  were 
about  to  invt'st  the  I'ort  of  lit)\vtr  Sandusky,  niarclied  to  tliia 
latter  place  with  some;  additional  force.  He  occupied  liiniselt' 
with  ixrt'at  a.s.siduily  in  |)lacin^'  it  in  the  best  posture  ol'delence; 
but  the  only  addition  of  importance,  which  the  time  would 
allow  him  to  make,  was  a  ditcli  six  feet  deep  and  nine  leet  w  ide, 
outside  the  stockade  of  pickets  by  which  the  fort  was  enclosed. 
lie  had  but  one;  six-pounder;  and  about  oiu'  hinuircd  and  sixty 
men,  I'onsi.slinir  of  some  reifulars,  and  ol  delaclunenls  ol  the 
Pitlsburirh  and  relersburi^h  \()lunteers  :  while  his  sliirlit  and 
hastily  constructed  fortilications  allordeil  but  a  weak  defenco 
against  artillery.  (Jeneral  Harrison,  not  coiureivinir  it  prao 
ticable  to  defend  tlic  place,  orih-red  youuii  Croiihan  to  relire  on 
tiie  approach  of  the  enemy,  afi(  r  desiroyinsf  the  works.  Hy  a 
despatch,  which  was  intended  to  fall  into  the  lunula  of  the  ene- 
my, the  latter  declared  his  unwillinijness  to  obey,  as  he  was 
able  to  defend  the  fort.  'Vlus  reacJiinj^  the  <{(MU'ral,  he  sent  for 
Croii-lian  ;  ami,  on  recci\  ini^-  satisfactory  explanations,  fully 
authorised  him  to  make  the  attempt. 

On  the  1st  of  Aui(ust,  freneral  l*rocl(tr,  havin*^  left  a  large 
body  of  Indians  under  Tecumseh  to  k(  p  up  the  appearance 
of  a  sie<r(!  of  Fort  Alci'^s,  arrived  at  Saniluskv  with  al)out  five 
hundred  rejfidars,  s(,'ven  hunilrcd  Indians,  and  some  gun  boats. 
After  he  had  nuule  such  dis|)osiiions  of  his  troops  as  rendered 
the  r(!treat  of  the  garrison  im|)ractical)lc,  he  sent  a  llag  by  colo- 
nel Flliot  and  major  (.'hambers,  demamling  a  surrender,  accom- 
panied with  tlu!  usual  threats  of  butchiMv  and  mass.icre  if  the 
garrison  should  hoKl  out.  Croghan,  who  found  that  all  his  com- 
panions, (diielly  striplings  like  himself,  would  support  him  to 
the  last,  returned  a  spirited  answer:  to  the  ell'cct  that,  "  when 
the  I'ort  should  be  taken,  there  would  lie  none  left  to  massacre; 
as  it  would  JU)l  be  given  up  while  a  man  was  able  to  iigjit." 

When  the  llag  returned,  a  brisk  lire;  was  ojjcned  from  six- 
pounders  in  the  boats  and  a  howitzer,  which  was  kept  up  during 
the  night.  In  the  moininuf,  it  was  discovered  that  three  sixes 
had  been  planted,  under  the  cover  of  the  night,  within  two  hun- 
tlred  and  fifty  yards  of  the  pickets;  which  shortly  after  com- 
menced tiring,  but  with  little  eflect.  About  four  o'clock  in  tlie 
afternoon,  the  enemy  having  eoncentriled  his  fire  against  the 
northwest  angle  of  the  fort,  with  the  intention  of  making  a  breach, 
it  was  immediately  strengthened  by  means  of  bags  of  flour  and 
sand.  At  the  same  time,  the  six-j)ounder,  the  only  piece  of 
artillery  in  the  fort,  was  carefully  ctincealed  in  the  bastion  which 
covered  the  point  to  be  assailed,  and  loaded  with  slugs  and 
grape.     About  five  hundred  of  the  enemy  now  advanced  to 


J  1 J 


h 


148 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Gallant  Defence  of  Fort  Sandusky Humane  Condui  t  fif  thf  ncsirucd. 

assail  the  pari  where  it  wa.s  supposed  the  pickets  had  been 
injured  :  at  the  same  time  makiiijr  several  feints,  to  draw  tlic 
attention  of  the  hesietj^od  from  the  real  point  of  attack.  Their 
force  being  thus  disj)os(Ml,  a  column  of  three  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  whicli  were  so  enveloped  in  smoke  as  not  to  be  seen  until 
they  approached  within  twenty  paces  of  the  lines,  advanced 
rapidly  to  the  assault.  A  fire  of  musquetry  from  the  fort, 
threw  them  for  a  moment  into  ( •  ;ifusion  ;  but  they  were  quickly 
rallied  by  colonel  Short  their  commander,  who  sprung  over  the 
outer  works  into  the  ditch,  and  commanded  iiis  men  to  follow, 

cryinir  out,  "  Give  the  d d  Yankees  no  (juarterl"     Scarcely 

hail  these  words  escaped  his  lips,  when  the  six-pounder  opened 
upon  tjiem  a  most  destructive  fire;  killing  their  l)arbarous  leader 
and  twenty  others,  and  wounding  as  many  more.  A  volley  of 
musketry  was,  at  the  same  time,  tired  upon  those  who  had  not 
descended.  The  ollicer  wlu  succeeded  Short,  exasperated  at 
being  thus  treated  by  a  few  boys,  formeil  tlu'  broken  column 
anew,  ami  again  rushed  t**  the  dii.h.  'J'he  six-pounder  was  a 
second  time  played  on  mem  with  tlic  t^ame  success  as  before; 
and  the  smrdl  arms  were  discharged  so  rapidly,  that  they  were 
again  thrown  into  conlusion,  and,  in  spite  of  the  exertions  of 
their  onicer.s,  lied  to  :\n  adjoining  wood,  whither  they  were  soon 
followed  by  the  Indians.  Shortly  afterwards,  the  assailants 
abandoned  the  attack.  Panic-struck,  thev  retreated  to  their 
boats,  in  sullen  silence;  SfiCely  v'aring  t(»  cast  their  eyes  to- 
wards the  fatal  spot,  wiiore  lii^y  had  been  so  signally  chas- 
tised by  a  force  scarci*  a  tenth  of  theirs  in  number. 

If  this  gallant  defence;  deserved  the  applau  e  of  the  brave,  the 
subsequent  conduct  of  the  besieged  was  well  entitled  to  the 
praise  of  every  friend  of  humanity.  Forgetting  in  a  moment 
that  they  had  been  astiaiied  by  merciless  foes,  who  sought 
to  m'.issacre  them  without  re<Mrdin(>f  the  hnvs  of  honouraldc 
war,  the  little  band  felt  only  the  desire  of  relieving  the  wounded 
m(n  who  had  been  left  behind  by  the  enemy.  During  the 
night.  j)ro\  isions  and  buckets  of  water  were  handed  over  the 
pickets;  ami,  by  an  opening  which  was  made,  many  of  the 
sufferers  were  taken  in  anil  imir.eiliately  supplied  with  surgical 
aid:  and  this,  although  a  firing  was  still  kept  up  with  small  arms 
by  the  enemy  for  a  part  of  the  time. 

'I'he  loss  of  the  garrison  amounted  to  one  killed  and  seven 
wounded,  'J'hat  of  the  enemy  could  not  have  been  less  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty:  upwards  of  fifty  were  found  in  and  about 
the  ditch.  It  was  discovered  next  morning,  that  the  enemy 
had  hastily  retreated  ;  leaving  a  boat,  a  considerable  quantity  of 
military  stores,  and  upwards  of  seventy  stand  of  arms.     'I'he 


Tecumseli  r 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


149 


lieir 


Tecuinseli  r:iis(!s  the  Sie<;e  of  Fort  Jleias Xaval  Preparation-  mi  l.aki-  Km-. 

Americans  were  enj^aged,  during  the  day,  in  burying  the  dead 
with  the  honours  of  war,  and  proviihng  for  tlie  wounded. 

This  exploit  caUed  forth  the  admiration  of  all  j)arties  through- 
out the  United  IStates.  (Jroghan,  lo<rcther  with  his  eornpanions, 
captain  Hunter,  lieutenants  Johnson  and  Haylor,  and  ensigns 
Shipp  and  Duncan  (the  preseiit  gov(;rnor  of  Illinois)  of  the 
Seventeenth  regiment;  Anthony  and  Anderson,  of  the  Twenty- 
fourth;  and  Me('ks,  of  the  Stjventh ;  and  the  other  ollicers  and 
volunteers,  were  hi<ihly  complinK'ntJ'd  hy  general  Harrison. 
'I'liey  afterwards  received  the  thanks  of  congress.  Croghan 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieuleiuinl-coloncl,  and  was  pre- 
sented with  an  elegant  sword  hy  the  ladies  of  Chillit'oihe. 

Soon  after  this  affair,  'I'ecumseh,  havinif  raised  tlie  siege  of 
Fort  Meigs,  followed  Proctor  to  Detroit;  am!  all  hope  was  given 
up  by  the  enemy  of  reducing  !ie  American  forts,  until  they 
could  gain  the  ascendency  on  itie  lake. 

The  utmost  exertions  had  been  made,  in  the  meanwhile,  by 
captain  l*erry,  to  complete  the  naval  armament  on  Lake  Erie. 
liy  the  2d  ol'  August,  the  lleel  was  ecpiippetl ;  but  some  time  was 
lost  in  getting  sc^veral  of  the  vessels  over  the  bar  at  the  mouth  of 
theharbour  of  Erie.  On  the  4th,  he  sailed  iuipiestof  the  enemy  ; 
but  not  meeting  him,  he  returned  on  the  8th.  After  receiving 
a  reinforcement  of  sailors  brought  by  caj)taiu  Elliot,  he  again 
saileil  on  the  l^Ji,  and  on  the  15th  anchoretl  in  the  bay  of  San- 
dusky. Here  he  took  in  about  twenty  volunteer  marines,  and 
again  went  in  searcji  of  the  enemy;  and  alter  cruising  olf  Mai- 
den, retired  to  Put-in-Hay,  a  distance  of  thirty  ujiles.  His  lleet 
consioted  of  the  brig  liaurenci',  his  llag  vessel,  of  twenty  guns; 
the  Niagara,  captain  Elliot,  of  twenty;  the  Caledonian,  lieute- 
nant Turner,  of  three;  theschooner  Ariel,  of  four:  the  Scorpion, 
of  two;  the  Somers,  of  two  guns  and  two  swivels;  the 
sloop  Trippe,  and  scliooners  Tigrc-JS  and  l*or<rupin(!,  of  one 
gun  each:  amouuiing  in  all  to  nine  vessels,  liliy-iour  guns  and 
two  swivels.  On  the  morning  t)f  the  lOth  of  Sej)tember,  the 
enemy  was  discovt^red  bearing  down  upon  the  American  S(|ua- 
dron  ;  which  immetiiatrly  got  uruler  weigh,  aiul  stood  out  to 
meet  him.  Tlu;  Americans  had  three  vessels  more  than  the 
Uritish;  but  this  a<lvnntage  was  l"ully  coimterbidanced  by  the 
size,  and  the  numluM-  of  guns,  of  those  of  the  eneniy.  'i'he  fleet 
of  the  latter  consisted  of  the  Detroit,  comm(»dore  liarclay,  of 
nineteen  guns  and  two  howitzers;  the  Queen  Charlotte,  captain 
Fiunis,  ofseveniecMi  guns;  the  schooner  Lady  Prevost,  lieute- 
nant liuchan,  of  thirteen  guns  and  two  liowitzers ;  the  brig 
Hunter,  of  ten  guns;  the  sloop  Little  Belt,  of  three  guns ;  and 


ii 


n 


r 


N 


•* 


't  ^ 


■^^  'i/ 


150 


BRACKENRIDOE'S 


Jliittle  of  Lake  I>ie. 


.<:iillaiit  Ik'liaviotir  of  Commodore  Perry. 


the  sclioonor  Chippewa,  of  one  gun  and  two  swivels  :  in  all, 
six  vessels,  sixly-tlir(;e  guns,  four  howiizers  and  two  swivels. 

When  the  Anieiicans   stood  out,  the    Hritish   lleel   had   the 
weather  j^aj^e ;  hut  the  wind  soon  after  changed,  and  brought 
the  American  Heel  to  windward.     'J'he  line  of  battle  was  form- 
ed at  eleven  ;  and  at  fifteen  minutes  before  twelve,  tlie  enemy's 
flag  ship,  and  tlie  (iueen  (Jharlotlc,  opened  their  lire  uj-on  the 
Lawrence;  which  she  susiaiiicnl  for  ten  minutes,  l)efore  she  was 
near  enough  for  her  guns,  which  were  carronades,  to  return  it. 
She  continued  to  bear  up,  making  signals  fur  the  other  vessels  to 
liasten  to  hersupport;  and  at  hve  mimitcs  bel'ore  twelve,  brought 
her  guns  to  bear  upon  tlie   enemy.      Ihif  )rtiMiately,  the   wind 
being  light,  the  smaller  vessels  of  the  squadron  coidd  not  come 
up  to  her  assistance;  and  she  was  compelled  to  contend,  for 
two  hours,  with  two  ships  each  nearly  eijual  to  b.er  in  force. 
The  contest  was,  nolwithstandino-,  maintained  by  her  with  un- 
shaken courage,  and  with  a  coolness  which  deserves  the  high- 
est admiration.     I>y  this  time  the  Lawrence  had  become  entirely 
unmanageable.     Every  gun  in  the  brig  being  dismoimled;  and 
with  the  exception  of  lour  or  hve,  her  whole  crew  eillier  killeil 
or  wounded;   Perry  deteirnined  to  leave  her.      With  a  presence 
of  mind  which  drew  forth  the  praise  of  the  gallant  oflicer  to 
whom  he  was  opposed,  he  sprimg  into  his  boat,  and  heroically 
waving  his  sword,  passed  unhurt  to  the  JNiagara,  carrying  his 
flag  with  him.     At  the  moment  he  reached  the  Niagara,  the  tlag 
of  the  Lawrence  came  down.     She  was  utterly  unable  to  make 
further  resistance  ;  and  it  would  have  been  a  wanton  waste  of  the 
remaining  lives,  to  continue  the  contest.     Captain  Elliot  now 
left  the  iSiiagara,  with  the  view  of  bringing  up   the  rest  of  the 
fleet;   while  l*erry  again  bore  down  among  the  enemy  in  a  shiji 
which  had  as  yet  taken  no  share  in  the  action.     As  he  passed 
ahead  of  the  Detroit,  (^ueen  Charlotte  and  Lady  PrevosI,  lu; 
poured  into  each  a  broadside  from  his  starboard  side;  and  from 
his  larboard  fired  into  the  Chippewa  and  Little  licit.    To  one  of 
the  vessels — the  Lady  Prevost,  which  he   aj)proachcd  within 
half  pistol  shot,  the   (ire  was  so  ilcs'ructive,   that    her    men 
were  compelled  to  run  below.     At  this  moment  the  winil  fresh- 
ening, the  Caledonia  cime  up,  and  opened  her  fire  ;    and  several 
others  of  the  squadron  were  enabled  soon  after  to  do  the  same. 
For  a  time,  this  novel  anti  in)p()rlant  combat   raut'd  with  inile- 
scribable  violence   and  I'ury.     'i'he  result  of  a  campaign,  the 
command  of  a  sea,  the  glory  and  renown  of  two  rival  nations 
matched   for  the  ih"sl  time  in  squadron,  were  at  issue.     'I'ho 
contest  was  not  long  doubtfid.     The  Queen  Charlotte,  having 


I,  '* 


11 


•8^  ,ffl  ' 

?!  J 


I 


i  ':   i 


I 


^  *  - 


.(■,     1 


* 


a 

I 


St 


J 


:«       i 


Capture  of  t 

lost  lifir  cap 
ran  foul  of 
their  gnus 
now  in  tiir 
Niagara,  an 
flag  of  r,'a|)1 
the  Lady  T 
in  innnedia 
but  was  J) II 

'J'hiis,  al 
achieved,  ii 
any  thing 
mannei-  in 
Wi:  n.wK  M 
Creat  Brim 
was  now  b 
very  groat  i 
cans  liad  tv 
the  former, 
man  Laub; 
Taylor,  pui 
wont,  'i'h 
and  wouiul< 
amounting 
Americans, 
whose  arm 
severely  \s( 
arm. 

'J'he  new 
straiions  of 
ten  ;  and  tl 
tions  and  fc 

It  is  hio 
British  pris 
tain  IJarcla; 
towards  tin 
to  innnortal 

The  Ami 
active  pre] 
Proct(^r  fru 
eial  Ilarrisi 
Ohio  mililii 
had  not  as  ) 
thousand  vt 
goveriior  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


151 


Capture  of  the  Enemy's  wlicile  Pcin.idron. 


.Northwestern  Arniv  reinfurccd. 


lost  lier  captain  and  all  lu?r  prinr^ipal  olliccrs,  by  some  mischance 
ran  foul  of  the  Detroit.  \ly  thi.s  acciilent  the  greater  part  of 
their  guns  were  rendc  red  iisilet^s;  and  the  two  .«iiips  were 
now  in  turn  (-ompi'llod  to  sustain  an  incessant  fire  from  tlie 
Niagara,  and  the  oilier  vessels  of  the  American  squadron.  The 
flag  of  captain  IJarclay  soon  struck;  and  the  liueen  (yjiarlotte, 
the  Lady  Prevost,  the  Hunter  and  the  (Jhippewa  surrendered 
in  immediate  succession:  the  I^illie  Belt  attemptetl  to  escape, 
l)Ut  was  pursued  hy  two  giui  boats  and  captured. 

'i'luis,  after  a  contest  of  three  hours,  was  a  naval  victory 
achieved,  in  wliieli  every  vessel  of  the  enemy  was  captured.  If 
any  thing  could  enhance  its  lirilliancy,  it  M'as  the  modest 
manner  in  wiiich  it  was  announced  hy  ihe  inconjpar;ihh>  Perry: 
Wi:  MAVK  MKT  THK  Knkmv,  anuthkv  akk  OIKS,  wcrc  his  words. 
Great  Jiritain  had  already  been  defeated  in  single  combat;  she 
was  now  lieaten  in  sipiadron.  'i'he  carnage  in  this  alfair  was 
very  groat  in  proportion  to  the  numbers  engaged.  The  Ameri- 
cans liad  twenly-st'ven  killed,  and  ninety-six  wounded  :  among 
the  former,  were  lieutenant  Hrooks  of  the  marines,  antl  midsiiip- 
nian  Laub:  among  the  latter,  lieutenant  Yarnall,  sailing-master 
Taylor,  purser  llamillon  and  miilshipmen  (Jlaxton  and  Swarl- 
wout.  The  loss  ol'  the  Hrilish  was  aI)out  two  hundred  in  killed 
and  woumled  ;  many  of  whom  were  ollicers  :  and  the  j)risoners, 
amounting  to  six  hundreil,  exceeded  the  whole  numi)er  of  the 
Americans.  Commodore  Barclay,  a  gallant  sailor,  one  of 
whose  arms  had  been  shot  off  at  the  battle  of  Trafalgar,  was 
severely  \\  ouPided  in  the  hip,  and  lost  the  use  of  his  renuiining 
arni. 

The  news  of  this  event  was  reneived  with  unbounded  demon- 
strations of  joy.  All  j):«rty  feelings  were  I'or  a  moment  forgot- 
ten ;  and  the  glorious  occurrence  was  cele!)rated  by  ilhnnina- 
tions  and  festivals,  from  one  iMid  of  the  continent  to  the  other. 

It  is  highly  gratifying  to  know,  that  the  treatment  of  the 
British  prisoners  was  such,  as  to  call  forth  their  thanks.  Cap- 
lain  Barclay  declared,  that  ♦'  the  conduct  of  (tommotlore  Berry 
towards  the  captive  olliccrs  and  nu'ii,  was  sullicieni,  of  itself, 
to  immortalize  him." 

The  Americans  having  thus  obtained  possession  of  the  lake, 
active  preparations  were  iinmediately  made  for  expelling 
Proct(^r  froiii  Maiden  and  for  the  rec.)\('ry  of  Detroit,  (ten- 
eral  Harrison  now  called  on  irovernor  .Meigs  for  a  ptMiinu  of  tin; 
Ohio  militia,  spoken  of  in  a  I'ormer  page;  tb.e  whol(!  of  which 
had  not  as  yet  been  disbanded.  On  the  17th  of  September,  four 
thousand  volunteers,  the  llower  of  Kentucky,  with  the  venerable 
governor  of  tliat  state,  Isaac  Siielby,  the  hero  of  KiuL'^'s  IVIoun- 


15.1 


BKVCKENRIDGE'S 


f 'aptiir«"  of  M;i|)l<'ii. 


..Skirrnii'ii  at  CliiUliam. 


tain,  at  their  head,  arrived  ;il  tlic  ciiinp.  Thus  reinforced, 
general  Harrison  determined  to  embark  the  infantry  on  hoard 
the  lleet  for  Maiden;  and  directed  colonel  R.  M.  Johnson  to 
proceed  with  his  mounted  regiment  of  Kentuckiaiis  to  Detroit 
by  land.  The  latter  accordini,dy  marched  ;  but  on  approaciiing 
the  river  Kaisin,  they  halted  some  time  to  contemplate  the  tragic 
spot.  The  feelings  which  ihey  experienced  on  this  occasion 
cannot  be  described  ;  for  many  of  them  had  lost  Iriends  and 
relations  here.  'I'he  mourners  collected  tiie  still  unburied 
bones  of  the  victims,  and  consigned  them  to  one  oommon  grave, 
with  the  most  aflecting  demonstrations  of  grief. 

On  the  27th,  the  troops  were  received  on  board,  and  on  the 
same  day  reached  a  point  below  Maiden.  Tl;"  British  general 
had  in  the  meanwhile  destroyed  the  fort  and  j)uhlic  stores,  and 
had  retreated  along  the  Thames,  towards  the  Moravian  villages, 
together  with  '1  ecumseh's  Indians.  When  the  American  army 
arrived  at  Maiden,  a  number  of  females  came  out  lo  implore  the 
protection  of  their  general.  This  was  unnecessary ;  for  gen- 
eral Harrison  had  given  orders  that  even  IVoctor,  if  taken, 
should  not  be  hurt ;  and  governor  Shelby  had  issued  an  address 
to  the  Kentucky  volunteers,  in  which  he  said,  "  while  the 
army  remains  in  this  country,  it  is  expected  that  the  inhabitants 
will  be  treated  with  justice  and  humanity,  and  their  property 
secured  from  unnecessary  and  wanton  injury." 

On  the  2Uth,  the  army  reached  Detroit,  where  it  was  joined 
on  the  following  day  by  colonel  Johnson's  regiment.  It  was 
now  resolved  by  Harrison  and  Sliclby,  to  proceed  iiimiediately 
in  pursuit  of  l*roctor.  On  the  2il  of  0('lol)er,  they  marched,  with 
about  three  thousand  five  hundred  men,  selected  for  the  purpose, 
consisting  chielly  of  colonel  Ball's  dragoons,  colonel  Johnson's 
regiment,  and  other  detachments  of  (Jovernor  tSiielby's  volun- 
teers, 'i'he  heroic  Perry  and  general  Cass  accompanied  general 
Harrison  as  volunteer  aids.  They  moved  with  such  rapidity, 
that  on  the  tirst  day  they  Iravelleil  the  distance  of  twenty-six 
miles.  The  next  day  the}-  captured  a  lieutenant  of  dragoons 
and  eleven  privates,  from  whom  they  learned  that  Proctor  had 
no  certain  knowledge  of  their  approach.  On  the  4ih,  having 
reached  Chatham,  seventeen  miles  above  Lake  St  Clair,  they 
were  detained  some  time  by  a  deep  creek,  one  of  tlie  branches 
of  the  river  Thames,  the  bridge  over  whicli  had  been  partly 
destroyed  by  the  retreating  enemy.  While  the  bridge  was  be- 
ing repairetl,  some  Indians  commenced  an  attack  from  the  op- 
posite bank;  but  were  soon  dispersed  by  colonel  Johnson,  and 
the  artillery  of  colonel  Wood.  Here,  the  Americans  found  two 
thousand  stand  i»t  arms  and  a  niiantity  of  cjoiliiii"";  and,  crossing 


the  creek, 
several  pie 
sels  coiitaii 
newed  ;   w 
consideralt! 
had  encam 
forward  liv 
Indian  fore 
they  had   ii 
aciiDii.     (J 
a  narrow 
side  liy  a  s 
ing  on  the 
lery,  ami  i! 
between  ii 
the   Indian? 
chosen  l»y 
of  his   tro( 
neglect  i  II  <r 
ing  up  hi^ 
three  or  fo 
could  mil  re 
of  about   e 
Indians. 

The  Am 
tlirec;  ihous 
Gener;d  'I'l 
King's  brii 
Trotter;  ai 
'i'hcse  ihrci 
Henry.  '1 
two  briiradc 
brigade,  J' 
troops,  ante 
in  cohiiiins 
the  rivi  r,  lo 
opportunity 
Johnson's 
Indians  ;  bi 
close  for  ca 
error  comi 
knowing  tl 
use  of  the 
that  one  b; 
the  British 


TITSTORY  OF  THE  AVAR. 


153 


liiUtlc  of  till:  Tti.tiiiLsj. 


the  crock,  pursued  the  enemy  four  miles  up  the  Thames,  took 
several  pieces  of  caiinoM,  and  obliged  llieni  to  deslroy  three  ves- 
sels coniaiuing  public  stores.  On  the  fjih,  the  pursuit  was  re- 
newed ;  when,  alter  caj)turiii<r  provisions  and  aunnunition  to  a 
considcral)!e  amount,  they  reached  the  |)hu'o  where  the  enemy 
had  encaiujied  the  ni^lil  bel'ore.  (Joh)ncl  Wood  was  now  senl 
forward  by  the  conimaiuh'r  in  chief,  to  reconnoitre  the  British  and 
Intiian  forces  ;  and  lie  very  soon  returned  wiiji  information,  that 
they  had  made  a  stand  a  lew  inik's  distant,  and  were  ready  for 
actii)n.  (Jen(Mal  I'roetor  had  drann  up  his  re<,ndar  forces,  across 
a  narrow  strip  of  hxnd  covered  with  l-eai'li  trees,  llanUed  (ui  one 
side  by  a  swamp  and  on  the  otlier  by  the  river;  their  left  rest- 
ing on  the  river  snpporleil  by  the  hir<rer  i)ortion  of  their  artil- 
lery, anil  their  riirht  on  the  swanij).  Heyond  the  swamp,  and 
between  it  and  another  morass  still  further  to  the  ritiht,  were 
the  Indiaiis  uiuler  'J'ecumseh.  This  position  was  skilfully 
chosen  i»y  Proctor,  with  rcjjard  to  locality,  antl  the  character 
of  ids  troojis;  but  he  committed  an  irreparable  oversitdit  in 
neglecting  to  fortify  his  front  by  a  ditch  or  al)atis,  riiul  in  liraw- 
ing  u|)  his  troops  "in  open  order,  that  is,  with  intervals  of 
three  or  four  feet  between  the  liles" — a  mode  of  array  which 
could  not  resist  a  (.'barge  of  cavalry.  His  whole  force  consisted 
of  about  eiuht  hundred  rcfjular  soldiers  and  two  thousand 
Indians. 

The  American  troops,  amounting  to  something  more  than 
three  thousaiul  men,  were  now  disposed  in  order  of  i)aiile. 
General  Trotter's  brijrade  constituted  the  fi'on'  line;  general 
KiuL^'s  briuade  formed  a  second  line,  in  the  rear  of  {reneral 
'IVolter  ;  and  ("hiles's  briirade  was  kept  as  a  corps  of  reserve, 
'i'hese  three  brigades  were  under  the  command  of  major  general 
Henry.  The  whole  of  ijeneral  Desha's  division,  consisting  of 
two  brigades,  w  as  formed  en  polcnrc  on  the  left  of  Trotter's 
brigade,  l^ich  l)riir<ido  av(M'aged  iwv  hundred  men.  The  regular 
troops,  amounting  to  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  were  formed 
in  cohiiMUs,  aiul  occupied  a  narrow  space  between  the  road  '.uul 
the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  seizing  the  enemy's  artillery,  should 
opportunity  oiler.  (J(Mu;ral  Harrison  lia.d  at  first  ordered  colonel 
Johnson's  m(uiiit(Hl  men  to  form  in  two  lines,  Mp])osiic  to  the 
Indians  ;  but  he  soon  observed  that  the  umlerwood  here  was  too 
close  for  cavalry  to  act  with  any  elfeet.  Aware  of  the  egregious 
error  committed  by  Proctor  as  a!)ovc  mentioned  ;  and  well 
knowing  the  dexterity  of  backwooilsmen  in  ridiiiir,  and  in  the 
use  of  the  rille,  in  forest  ground  :  he  immediately  determined 
that  one  battalion  of  the  mounted  regiment  should  charge  on 
the  British  regulars.     The  other,  under  the  immediate  command 


1 

I 


ft 

'.V 


r 


.    .1 


»'. 


154 


HKACKKMUDGE'S 


nntllc  of  till!  ThninCR Cnloiiel  Jnlm^un  wdiiinliil Dt-ntli  of  Tecuni!«ch. 


of  colonel  Johnson,  was  lei't  to  conlVont  the  Indians,  'i'he 
reciuisite  arran<,aMnents  havin<^  been  made,  the  army  iiad  moved 
forward  l)iit  a  sliort  distance,  when  the  enemy  llred.  'I'his 
was  the  sisrnal  for  our  cavalry  to  charjfe;  and  allhoiifrh  the  men 
and  horses  in  tlie  front  of  the  column  at  first  recoiled,  they 
soon  recovered  themselves,  and  the  whole  body  dashed  through 
the  eneujy  with  irrcsislihle  force.  Instantly  forminj^  in  the  rear 
of  the  IJritish,  they  pouriul  on  them  a  destructive  lire,  and  were 
about  to  make  a  second  char<rc  ;  when  the  IJritish  oliicers,  fmd- 
ing  it  impossible,  from  the  nature  of  tlie  jrround  ami  the  panic 
wliich  prevailed,  to  f(»rm  their  broken  ranks,  immediately  sur- 
rendered. 

On  llu!  left,  the  battle  was  betrun  by  Tecumseh  with  great 
fury,  'i'he  galling  lire  of  the  Indians  did  not  check  the  ad- 
vance of  the  American  columns;  but  the  charge  was  not  suc- 
cessful, from  the  miry  character  t)f  the  soil  and  the  number  and 
closeness  of  the  thickets  whicli  covered  it.  In  these  circum- 
stances, colonel  Johnson  ordered  his  men  to  dismount,  and 
leading  them  up  a  second  time,  succeeded,  after  a  desperate 
contest,  in  breaking  through  the  line  of  the  Indians  and  gaining 
their  rear.  Notwitlistanding  this,  and  that  the  colonel  now 
directed  his  men  to  light  them  in  their  own  mode,  the  Indians 
were  unwilling  to  yield  the  day;  and  (juickly  ccdlecting  their 
principal  strength  on  the  right,  attempted  to  penetrate  the  line 
of  infantry  commanded  by  general  Desha.  At  first  they  made 
an  impression  on  it;  I)ut  they  were  soon  repulsed  by  the  aid  of 
a  regiment  of  Kentucky  volunteers  led  on  l)y  the  aged  Sjiclby, 
who  had  been  ])osted  at  the  angle  formed  by  the  front  line  anil 
Desha's  division.  The  combat  now  raged  with  increasing  fury  ; 
the  Indians,  to  the  number  of  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred,  seeming 
determined  to  maintain  their  gro\ind  to  the  last.  The  terrible 
voice  of  Tecumseh  ("ould  be  distinctly  heard,  cncourai>injr  his 
warriors  ;  and  although  beset  on  every  side  except  that  of  the 
morass,  they  fougjit  with  more  delermincd  courage  than  they 
had  ever  before  exhibited.  An  incident,  however,  now  occur- 
red which  eventually  decided  the  contest.  The  jjallant  colonel 
Johnson  having  rushed  towards  the  spot  where  the  Indians, 
clustering  around  their  undaunted  chief,  appeared  resolved  to 
perish  l)y  his  side;  his  unilbrm,  and  the  white  horse  which  he 
rode,  rendered  him  a  conspicuous  oiiject.  In  a  moment  his 
holsters,  dress  and  accoutrements  were  pierced  with  a  hundred 
bullets;  and  he  fell  to  the  ground  severely  wouiuled.  Tecum- 
seh, meanwliih;,  was  killed  in  the  melee.  After  the  rescue  and 
removal  of  the  wounded  colonel,  the  command  devolved  on  ma- 
jor Thompson.     The  Indians  maintained   the  light  for  more 


1 1> 


'  ff.  * 


1., 


It-  - 


ID 

m 

'  1^   ■ 

1     i  ■        /Sj 

[J/J 

than  an  hoi 
captain,  the 
where  this 
were  Ibiiiul  i 
'J'hiis  fell 
that  ever  ri 
faded  the  las 
was  the  detr 
labouriiif,'  to 
of  our  settlei 
the  Europe 
might  still  1 
savajie,  unci 
and  by  men 
fill  liamlel  ii 
forts  of  civil 
Tecum  sell  ( 
cause  of  Iblii 
period  when 
head.  'J'eci 
niatrnaninioi: 
battle,  he  \v: 
and,  at  the  d 
he  found  en< 
almost  ever 
defeat  in  1' 
forty  years 
fjrcatness  frc 
in  a  difierer 
the  most  dis 
eriVd  mind,  a 
nion  diLniity 
could  easily 
the  slain,  I'or 
with  a  silk 
made  a  brijri 
at  lirownsio 
out  title  to  c( 
tribe  yielded 
liis  precedei 
of  uncommoi 
had  freijuen 
instance  of 
general  Prof 
death ;  a  cop 


HISTOUV  OF  'llli:   WAR. 


155 


Chnrncter  of  'J'ci  utnmh. 


ihan  an  hour;  hut  no  Ioniser  hearing;  the  voice  ol"  [\\v\r  j,M('al 
captain,  they  at  last  jj;ave  way  on  all  bides.  Ni-ar  the  spot 
where  this  sinijrgle  took  j)lace,  thirty  Indians  aiul  six  whiles 
were  loinul  d<'ad. 

'J'luis  fell  'J'eciiMiseli,  one  of  the  most  celehraled  warri(us 
that  ever  raised  the  tomahawk  ajrainst  lis;  and  with  him 
faded  the  last  ho|)e  of  onr  Indian  enemic's.  This  nniutorcd  man 
was  the  determined  foe  of  civilization,  and  had  for  years  hcen 
labonrinir  to  unite  all  the  Indian  tribes  in  resisiin;:  the  jM'ojiresr 
of  our  settlements  to  the  westward.  Had  sn«'h  a  man  oppost  il 
the  European  colonists  on  their  lirsl  arri\al,  this  continent 
mij^Iil  still  have  been  a  wilderness.  'J'o  tiiosc!  who  prefer  a 
savajie,  uncultivated  waste,  inhaliitt^d  by  wolves  and  panther^, 
and  by  men  more  savaj^e  still,  to  the  busy  city;  lo  the  pe;ice- 
fui  liamlei  and  cottage;  to  (.'hristianiiy,  science  ami  the  com- 
forts of  civilization  :  to  such,  il  may  be  a  source  of  regret  that 
'J'eeumseh  came  too  late.  Hut  to  all  others,  it  must  be  a  just 
cause  of  felicitation,  that  he  was  ilu^  champicui  t)f  barbarism  at  a 
period  when  he  could  only  draw  down  destruction  on  bis  own 
head.      'J'ecnmseh  fell  respecteil  by  his  enemies,  as  a  great  anil 


ni 


asinanimous  chief.       AlilioiMdi   he  seldom  took   i)risoncrs  i 


in 


battU;,  he  was  mcrcitul  to  those-  thai  had  been  taken  by  others  ; 
and,  at  the  tiefeal  of  Dudley,  actually  put  to  death  a  chief  u  hoin 
he  found  en<ra<red  in  the  work  of  massacre.  He  had  been  in 
almosi  every  engagement  with  the  whites  since  llarmer's 
defeat  in  1701,  allhoiiLdi  at  his  death  he  scarcely  exceeded 
forty  years  of  age.  'reeuinseh  had  received  the  staniji  of 
greatness  from  the  hand  of  nature  ;  and  had  his  lot  been  cast 
in  a  diilerent  st.Ue  of  soeieiv,  lie  wnuUl   have  shone  as  one  of 


ll 


le  most  distinouishet 


lof 


men. 


H 


e  was  endoweil  w  itli  a  [»ow- 


m- 


erful  mind,  and  with  the  soul  of  a  hero.  There  was  an  mv-o 
mon  diLHiity  in  his  countenance  and  manners  :  by  the  I'oriiu'r  he 
could  easily  be  discovered,  even  after  death,  among  the  rest  of 
the  slain,  for  he  wore  no  insignia  of  ilistinction.  ^VIlcn  girded 
with  a  silk  sash,  and  told  i>y  (Jeneral  Proctor  that  he  was 
made  a  brigadier  g(  ncral  in  the  IJritish  service  for  his  conduct 
at  lirownsiown  and  xMagagua,  he  refused  the  title.  Dorn  with- 
out title  to  command;  sucii  was  his  native  greatness,  thai  every 
tribe  yielded  submission  to  hin;  at  once,  and  no  one  ever  disputed 
his  precedence.  Subtle  and  lierce  in  war,  he  was  possessed 
of  uncommon  elocpiencc.  Invective  was  its  chief  merit,  as  we 
had   frequent  occasion  to  experience,     lie  gave  a  remarkable 

oroaches  which  1 


'P 


ipp 


IS 


general  Proctor,  in  a  sj)eech  delivered  a  lew  days  before  h 
death  ;  a  copy  of  which  was  found  among  tiic  papers  of  the  liri- 


i 


:1 


^P 


150 


BUArKRNRincjrrs 


KN('ri|i<!  Ill'  I'rorlitr I'liltlic  'ri-ntliiiKiiiiilM  iiri(i-M|MTl  In  lliiirixon, 

tish  oHiccrs.  His  form  waw  imroininoiily  clcgnnt.  Ilissialure 
was  ahdiil  six  feet,  aiitl  his  limhs  wrrc  pcrlcrily  proporiioiuil. 
Ill  this  c'i)^;i<f('iii('iil,  ihi.'  Hrilish  loss  was,  niiu'lct'ii  iryulars 
killed,  filiy  uoiiiidcd,  and  ahoul  six  huiulicd  taken  [irisimers. 
The  Indians  left  {»no  hundred  and  twenty  on  the  lichl.  'Jlic 
Ameri<!an  loss,  in  killed  and  woniided,  amonnled  to  npwards  of 
fifty;  seventeen  of  the  slain  \\i\v  Kcniiickians,  and  among 
them  was  eolonel  \V  hitely,  a  scddicr  of  the  revcdtilion,  who 
served  ov  this  oeeasion  as  a  jirivate.  IIo  by  somo  was  sup- 
posed to  have  killed  Tecnmseh  ;  whih;  others  allirined  that 
eolonel  Johnson  was  the  person.  Several  pieces  of  l)i;iss  cim- 
non,  the  trophies  of  our  revidution,  and  which  had  heen  sur- 
rendered by  Hull  at  Detroit,  were  once  more;  restored  to  our 
eountry.  (ieneral  I'loelor  had  basely  deserted  his  troops  as 
soon  as  the  cliar<re  was  nnde  ;  and  thoutih  hotly  |)ursiied,  was 
enabled,  by  means  of  swili  horses  and  his  knowledge  of  (he 
p(Hintry,  to  escape  down  the  Thames.  His  earriaj^e,  with  his 
j)rivatc  papers,  however,  was  taken. 

By  this  splendid  achievement,  jreneral  Harrison  rescued  the 
wbole  northwestern  frontier  from  the  depredaiions  of  the 
savatres  ami  the  horrors  of  war.  'I'lie  national  iiratiiucU;  burst 
out  in  one  loud  voice  of  ajjplause.  He  was  eompliinenled  by 
coufifresa  and  by  various  put)lie  bodies  ;  and  a  disiiniruished 
public  man  asserted,  on  the  lloor  of  the  national  house  of  repre- 
sentatives, that  his  viciorv  "  was  such  as  would  lunc  secured 
to  a  ]{onum  general,  in  the  best  days  of  the  republic,  the 
honours  of  a  triumph." 

'J'he  time  had  now  come,  which  would  prove  whetiicr  the 
stigma  cast  upon  the  chivalrous  peoph;  of  Kentucky  by  J'roctor, 
in  order  to  bide  bis  own  coiuiucl,  was  founded  in  irulli.  It  was 
now  to  be  seen  whether,  to  use  the  words  of  Proctor,  they  were 
a  "  ferocious  and  mortal  foe,  using  the  same  mode  of  warfare, 
with  the  allies  of  lirilain."  The  recollection  of  the  cruelties 
at  the  river  Kaisin  might  have  justified  revenge;  and  the  in- 
struments of  those  deeds  were  iu)W  al  their  disposal  :  for,  be- 
reft of  hope  by  this  signal  deleat  and  the  loss  of  their  great 
leader,  the  savages  had  sued  for  jieacc,  and  as  an  earnest  of 
their  sincerity,  oilered  to  raise  thiir  tomahawks  on  the  side  of 
the  Uiiited  States,  and  to  execute  on  the  Hrilish  captives  the 
same  atrocities  they  liad  jierpelrated  on  the  Americans. 

But  tlie  Kentuckians,  as  might  have  been  expected,  forbore 
even  a  word  or  a  look  of  reproach  to  their  prisoners.  'J'he  lat- 
ter were  distributed  in  small  parties  in  the  interior  towns;  and 
although  extremely  insulting  in  their  deportment,  were  not  only 
treated  with  humanity,  but  in  many  places  actually  fed  with 


Ui'nvriiiiH'i'ri' 

dainties  bv  tl 
ried  to  an  e 
loolisb,  had 
try  men  were 
on  the  land, : 

Nor  was  il 
rous.  l'{;act 
winter  they 
They  wcri!  o 
friemis,  but  w 
eonibat:int. 

Security  b: 
part  of  the  vo 
rison,  alter  s 
thousand  met 
his  instruciid 
Army  of  the 
an  interesiiiiL 
ral  \'incent,  i 
tish  prisoner; 
(Jeneral  Han 
unnecessary, 
formation  on 
minute  detail 
committed  b\ 
of  the  river  l^l 
which  genera 
of  a  slander  o 
that  in  no  sin 
plain  of  a  dcv 
truth  of  tlies( 
general  Vine, 
ment  of  Uriti 
manity,  ami  i 
were  still  a  ni 
he  beijiied  to  I 
be  kept  in  re 
wouhl  still  pe 
I  pray  you, 
stop  the  drer 
from  the  cm\ 
must  now  bi 
most  wanted, 
issue  of  the 

The  reply 
o 


IIISTOUY  OF  THE  WAK. 


ir>7 


iii-ni'iiiiiH'rri-iitiiH'iiiiirttii.'  I'rli*iin«r» liitt'ri.'Mtinir  I'nrri  itiNinili'nrc. 

iliUiUics  l)v  llio  liiiinatic  iiilial)it:uUs.  'I'liis  trratincnt  w.xh  car- 
ri(Ml  to  ill!  cxlromc  wliicli  iiiiiilil  pniix'ily  have  hccn  tcrincil 
loolisli,  had  it  not  hccii  a  iiol)l(i  r(!taliali(Mi  lor  what  our  couii- 
tryiiK.Mi  wen:  at  that  moinciit  ciKhirinir  in  the  Mritish  (hiii^rt'oiis 
on  iIk;  hiiul,aii(l  in  llicir  lloaiiii;;  prisons  on  the  sea. 

Nor  was  the  treatment  ol'  tho  eon<|Ucre(l  savaj^es  less  jr(>ue- 
rou.s.  P{!ace  was  {^ranted  to  tl  eni,  and  (Inrinir  the  sueeceilinj; 
winter  they  wvrr  artnally  siipporled  at  th<'  |)nl>lir  expense. 
'l'h(.'V  were  ohliuated  to  raise  ihi;  tomahawk  a<jainsl  ihrir  lormcr 
friends,  hut  were  I'orhichlen  ti»  assail  thedclenceless  and  thenon- 
<'oml>atant. 

Security  havinir  thus  heen  restored  to  our  frontier,  tlw  preator 
part  of  the  vohinlecrs  were  perniiited  to  rf»iiirn  hnmi' ;  and  Har- 
rison, after  stalioninu:  jieneral  Cass  nt  Detroit  with  ahont  one 
thousand  men,  on  the  2Ud  of  October  proceech'd,  accorihnir  to 
hi.s  instructions,  with  the  remainch'r  of  his  force,  to  join  the 
Army  of  lh(!  Centre  at  Hullido.  Shortly  l>efore  his  departure 
an  inttrestin^'  eorrcsponihnice  took  j)Kice  l)eiween  liim  and  <r(Mic- 
ral  \'incent,  irrowin^r  out  of  a  request  hy  the;  hitter,  that  the  Hri- 
tisli  prisoners  in  his  possession  mijjht  he  treated  with  humanity, 
(icneral  Harrison,  after  assurinic  hini  that  sncli  a  rctpiest  was 
unnecessary,  referred  him  to  the  prisoners  themselves  lor  in- 
formation on  this  score.  He  then  took  occasion  to  <ro  into  u 
mimile  detail  of  the  violations  of  tlie  laws  of  civilized  warfare 
committed  hy  the  Uritish  and  Indians.  H»'  i)ainteil  the  scenes 
of  the  river  Kaisin,  tlic;  Miami,  aiul  other  phiees,  the  atrocity  of 
Avhich  jreneral  I'roctor  IkuI  alU'mpt(;d  to  palliate  hy  tin;  utterance 
of  a  slander  on  the  Western  people  ;  and  at  the  same  time  staled, 
that  in  no  sinjrle  instance  had  the  IJritish  had  occasion  to  com- 
plain of  a  deviation  from  eivili/ed  warlare  on  our  part.  For  the 
truth  oi'  these  facts,  he  a]ii)ealeil  to  the  jxTsonal  kuowhnlgc  of 
general  Vincent.  (General  Harrison  saiil,  that,  in  iiis  treat- 
ment of  British  prisoners,  he  acted  purely  from  a  sense  of  hu- 
manity, and  not  on  the  prineij)le  of  reciprocity  ;  and  as  tliere 
were  still  a  luimher  of  Intlians  in  the  em|)loyment  of  the  Hritish, 
l»e  bcgi^etl  to  be  informed  explicitly,  whether  these  allies  would 
be  kept  in  restraint  for  the  future,  or  whether  general  Vincent 
would  still  permit  them  to  j)ractise  their  usual  cruellies.  "  Use, 
I  pray  you,"  said  he,  "your  authority  and  iulluence  to 
stop  tlie  dreailful  ellusion  of  innocent  blood  which  proceeds 
from  the  employment  of  those  sava<ie  monsters,  w  he 


aiu 


must  now  be  discovered,  is  so  little  to  be  depended  on  when 
most  wanted,  and  which  can  have  so  trilling  an  ell'ect  on  the 
issue  of  the  war."' 

'J'he  reply  of  general  Vincent,  like  that  of  sir  Sydney  Buck- 
o 


:« 


'^ 


.i-^ 


J  h. 


4  , 


158 


IIRACKENRIDGE'S 


Inva-ioti  <w  <'aiiail;i (Iciicral  Annstroiii:  a|i[i(»i(itfd  S<jrr»tary  of  War. 

with,  was  vajriic  and  evasive.  He  expresscil  liimsell' perfectly 
satisfied  with  lite  assurances  as  to  the  treatment  of  the  prisoners, 
hutdeclint'd  sayinu  any  thinir  on  the  other  topics;  it  was  bey<.)nd 
his  power  to  give  an  e.>'/)/icii  (iiisiccr  ;  hut  he  |)h'dL^ed  Ids  honour, 
that,  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  lin  wouKl  join  with  general 
Harrison  in  allevialintr  the  cahuniiies  of  the  war. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


Preparations  for  invading  Canada — (Irneral  Armstrong  appointc  I  cntary  of  War 
— Gt-niral  Wilkinson  takes  idMiniand  of  the  'J'roopa  on  Ihc  Niasara,  and  <j'i'neral 
Hampton  of  those  at  iMattshiiru— RfiKiczvoiis  of  tiic  Anu-rican  Forci-s  at  Jlrrnadier 
loland — (Mtieral  Wilkinson  dcs(»'n<ls  the  '^t  Lawrence— British  harass  the  Ameri- 
can Army — Ili.lih' of  Chrystler's  Fiehl — (It  iieral  Hampton  descends  the  Chateant-iy 
River — Isatlacked  hy  the  ISiitish — Kepiilses  them  and  retri-ats — Ilis  Inahilityor  I'n- 
uillinKiiess  to  CO  operate  with  (niicial  W'iikit'son — ISoth  Ameriiari  Armu  -  no  into 
Win;cr  Uuartcr^' — Failure  of  the  F.vpedition  ai;r.iiiist  Montreal— Cruise  of  Co  imodoie 
Chaunrey  on  Lake  Ontario — lie  captures  five  armed  liritisli  S(hoon<'rs— HarninK  of 
Newark  hy  the  Amrican^ — IJritish  Ket.iliution — Fort  Niagara  surpriscJ-Uestniction 
•>f  Lewistown,  Hutfalo  and  other  places. 

The  glorious  result  of  the  operatif.is  of  the  Northwestern 
army,  and  the  splendid  victory  on  the  l,  ke,  opened  the  way  to 
a  more  efrectual  invasion  of  Canada.  We  were  now  in  the 
situation  in  which  we  should  have  been  at  the  commencement 
of  the  war,  hatl  HuU's  expcdilicMi  proved  successful:  with  this 
diflerence,  however:  tiiat  the  British  had  been  eiiahled  to  pro- 
vide for  defence,  hy  collectin<r  troops,  discipliuinsf  militia 
and  fortifyini^  the  borders  of  the  St  Lawrence;  while,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  American  force  on  the  frontier  was  more  formi- 
dable tiian  it  had  been  at  any  time  jnevii;usly  durin;(  the  war, 
and  was  commanded  by  odicers  whose  merits  had  been  tried 
in  actual  service — in  addition  to  which,  the  greater  part  of  the 
neigld)ouring  Indians  had  declared  against  the  Hrilish.  The 
public  mind  was  nf)w  so  elated  by  the  brilliant  victories  to  the 
westward,  that  it  was  thought  tli(>  tide  of  lorlune  had  at  last 
liirneil  in  our  favour,  and  coiilidenlly  expected  that  the  adminis- 
tration would  attempt  the  conquest  of  ('anathi  in  good  earnest. 

At  the  head  of  the  vvar  departiiient  now.  was  a  man  of  energy 
and  udenls,  who  had  resided  a  considerable  period  in  Europe  : 


and,  from 
was  presume 
opportunities'* 
knowledge, 
acknowledire 
into  his  dep 
guine  anticip 
ceeded    to   tl 
digested  in  tl 
efTect  under 
was  in  itself 
cutioii,  su(]i( 
though    the 
done :  but,  ti 
which  the  su 
possible.      1- 
would  suflic 
terprise,   and 
dirough  the 
(lountry,  lik< 
failure  of  the 
under  wiiich 
too  much,  n 
enced  in  a  ( 
about  to  be  r 
On  the  res 
then  in  the 
succeetl   him 
Public  opinii 
vious  cliarac 
ally  admiltei 
science  than 
command,  is 
and  it  was  e: 
reputation,  h 
his  cou'iiry. 
amounted    t( 
Harrison,*'  v 
month  of  O 

•  This  nftk 
of  being  place 
to  the  cDuntry 
gciH'ral  Harrii 
the  secretary  < 


HIS  TORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


151) 


General  Wilkinson  tiikes  the  rliief  rnmmanil. 


and,  from  ?Iie  known  hias  of  liis  miiul  to  inililary  allairs,  it 
was  prcsnmpd  that  lit  had  availed  hiinsplf  to  the  utmost  of  the 
opportiinilios  thcio  within  his  learh  oi"  inrrcasinir  his  military 
knowledjje.  Much  w;'.s  e.xpcctcil  from  him  :  antl  it  was  soon 
acknowl(*(l<rod  that  some  improvements  had  !)een  introduced 
into  his  department.  (Jeneral  ArmstroiiL''.  knowiniif  the  san- 
t(uine  anticipations  which  provtiled  thronifh  the  country,  ])ro- 
i'ceiled  to  the  northern  frontier,  with  a  plan  of  operations 
diirested  in  the  cahmet,  which  he  intended  to  iiave  carried  into 
eflect  uiuler  his  own  eye.  'J'hc  plan,  as  afterwards  developed, 
was  in  itself  judicious;  hut  there  was  not  perhaps,  in  its  exe- 
cution, sunicieut  allowance  for  a  ehanir^  of  ( ircumstances.  Al- 
thoujrh  tlie  season  was  lar  advanced,  mucii  iiiiiihl  yet  be 
done  :  hut,  to  satisfy  the  public  expectations,  to  the  extent  to 
which  the  .successes  of  Harrison  hail  raised  them,  was  scarcely 
possible,  jiittle  short  of  the  complete  comiuest  of  Canada 
would  suHict^;  while  but  vanue  ideas  of  the  natiire  of  the  en- 
terprise, and  of  the  dilliculiie'S  to  be  encountered,  i)r(;vaile(l 
throujrli  the  great  body  of  the  nation.  'J'he  jieople  in  this 
<;ountry,  like  other  sovereigns,  resrardinjr  oidy  the  success  or 
failure  of  their  afrents,  seldom  weio;h  the  peculiar  circumstances 
under  wiiich  they  may  have  -.icted.  'I'o  the  desire  ol  doing 
too  much,  may  perhaps  be  attributed  the  misfortunes  experi- 
enced in  a  cam|)aign,  the  chief  incidents  of  which  are  now 
about  to  be  related. 

On  the  resignation  of  general  Dearborne.  generr.l  Wilkinson 
then  in  the  southern  section  of  the  union,  was  appointt^d  to 
succeed  him  as  commaiuler-inchief  of  the  American  forces. 
Public  oj)inion  was  much  divided,  as  to  some  points  in  the  pre- 
vious chara<'ter  and  conduct  of  this  ollicer;  but  it  was  gener- 
ally admitted,  that  he  j)ossessed  a  greater  share  of  military 
science  than  any  one  in  the  army.  ']"he  «reneral.  on  lakmirthe 
command,  issued  an  order  which  gave  universal  satisfaction; 
and  it  was  expected  that,  (or  the  sake  of  firmly  establishing  his 
reputation,  he  would  endeavour  to  render  smnc  signal  service  to 
his  country.  'J'he  I'orce  under  his  command  on  the  Niagara, 
amounted  to  eight  thousuid  regulars,  besides  those  under 
Harrison,*  which  were  expected  to  arrive  in  the  course  of  the 
month  of  October,     (ieueral   Wade  Hampton,  a  distinguished 

•  Tliis  nfiiccr  shortly  nflorwards  retired  rr.)in  tin?  army,  in  consoqucncf 
of  l)L'iiiir  placed  in  un  iiifVrior  cuimiiaiid;  and  liis  st'rvicrs  wen'  thna  lost 
to  the  country  for  tin;  n'inaindcr  of  the  war.  For  tlie  act  which  induced 
jrcneral  Harrison  to  take  this  step,  the  ndniinistration,  and  purlicubrlv 
the  Hecrctary  of  war,  were  niucli  and  ju.st!y  biained. 


1 


•I'! 


I  ; 


nm 


100 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


RciHlr/.vouH  of  the  Aint'riran  Kitrccs  at  (ircnmlii  r  Islatnl. 

revolutionary  ollti-or,  also  called  from  the  south,  was  appointed 
to  the  command  of  tlu;  Army  of  the  North,  then  encaniped 
al  Plattshurij-,  on  liakc  ('hamjilain,  and  amountinii'  to  about  fo'ir 
thousand  men.  As  the  season  for  mililary  operations  was 
rajjidly  dra\vin<^  to  a  close,  it  was  important  that  no  time 
should  be  lost,  and  nteasurcs  were  immediately  taken  for  car- 
ryiiiiT  into  ('(lecl  the  projected  invasion,  'i'he  outline  of  the 
]ila;i  which  had  been  ailopted,  was:  lo  descend  the  St  Law- 
r.'nce,  pissinir  the  IJritish  posts  without  atlemptinir  their  caj)- 
ture;  to  lorm  a  junction  with  jjeneral  Hampton  at  some  desiji. 
iiatcd  point  on  tlu^  river;  and  then  with  the  united  forces  to 
proceed  to  th(>  Island  of  Montreal.  After  wiiich,  to  u>ic  the 
lai)irua<jc  of  ireneral  ^^  ilkiiison,  "their  artillery,  bayonets  and 
swords  must  secure  them  a  triumph,  or  provide  for  them  honour- 
able jjraves."  It  is  said  that  a  ditrerenite  of  opinion  existed 
between  tin;  sjeneral-in-chief  and  the  secretary  al  war,  on  this 
subject  :  the  foruuM'  not  consi(lerin<r  it  jiriulcnt  to  leave  Kin«:'-,- 
ton  and  other  Hrilisli  L^arrisons  in  the  rear;  and  the  latter 
&eemin<r  to  think,  that  as  there  M'as  no  d(»ubt  (»f  takin<r  Mon- 
treal, all  the  posts  on  the  river  and  lakes  above  that  place 
must  fall  oi  course.  'J'he  correctness  of  this  conclusion  could 
not  be  denied  :  but  as  there  is  a  de^rf^c  of  uncertainty  in  every 
human  undcrtakiiiir,  it  is  unwise  to  make  no  allowance  for 
some  possible  laiiure ;  except,  indeed,  where  the  parly,  like 
Caesar,  resolves  to  be  }xreat  or  dead. 

'J'he  army,  which  hail  Ix'cn  distributed  in  diflerent  corps, 
anil  stationed  at  various  points,  was  now  to  be  concentrated  ;\t 
some  jjlace  convenient  for  its  e.mbarkation.  For  this  purpose, 
Grenadier  Klaiid,  which  lies  between  tSacketl's  Harbour  and 
Kinii^ton,  was  selected,  on  account  of  its  contiL'^nity  to  ihe  8l 
Jiawrence.  On  the  2d  of  Octolier,  general  \Vil!;inson  left 
Fori  Cieor^e,  wilh  llu^  princi|)al  body  ol'  the  troops,  and  soon 
after  reached  the  island.  Here  he  occupied  himself  inces- 
santly in  luakinj^  preparation  tor  the  |)rosecution  of  his  enter- 
prise. He  several  times  visited  Sac!;etl's  Harl)our,  tin;  point 
al  which  the  troops  first  arriveil,  and  w  henc(>,  aficr  receivinir  the 
necessary  su])plies,  thcv  proceeded  to  the  place  of  rendez- 
vous. Colonel  Scolt,  whom  he  had  lei't  in  command  ol  Fort 
Cieorge,  was  ordered  to  embark,  wilh  his  rei:iment  of  artil- 
lery, and  colonel  Ivaiidolph's  infantry,  and  pntceed  to  the 
islaiul;  whil(>  colonel  Dennis  was  leli  in  ehariie  of  Sacki^tt's 
Hal  hour,  'i'he  jreneral  havinjr  provided  boats  to  transport  the 
artillery  throuiih  the  St  Lawrence,  pioeeeded  to  i)ul  his  troops  in 
inouoii.      l\\  ihe  •.]od,  ihe  forces  thus  collected  exceeded  seven 


thousand  men 
artillery,  a  lev 
colonel   Maco 
infantry,  and  1 
winds  on  tlu 
until  the 25111 1 
the  general  w; 
health  very  pr 
iheembarkaiii 
A  few  days 
nel  Scott,  iha 
the  American 
neighbourhooi 
KintTston,  in  i 
attack,     (icnei 
Creek,  which 
lion  on  the  C: 
troops  ai'tiT  il 
general   lirowi 
was  ordered  f 
army  al  this  j 
dron  made  its  J 
of  infantry,  aiv 
a  battery  of  ihi 
tains   M'l'hers 
The  attack  w; 
ter  success  ;  ai 
arriving,  the  e 
the  army  was 
ed  a  few  mil(!S 
noilering  the 
commanded  tl 
and  lixed  amn 
bel(JW.     'riiet 
point ;  and  il  ' 
pass  with  the 
men  to  naviga 
fog  which  can: 
deavoured  to  p 
up,  and  the  n 
by  the  enem\ 
the  llotilla,  d 
grow  darker, 
the  river,  am 
vere  cannonad 
o* 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


101 


ncncrni  Wilkinson  dcsct- nds  the  s<t  Lawrence. 


thoi 


hI  of  colonel   P( 


)iisaiiu  moil,  and  were  composed  ol  colonel  rorter  s  I'f^iit 
arlillery,  a  few  companies  of  colonel  Scoll's,  and  the  whole  of 
colonel  Macninh's  reijimeiit  ol"  artillcrv,  twelve  roii^iments  of 
infantry,  and  l-'orsyth's  rille  corps.  In  coiisccjuence  ollhe  hiirli 
winds  on  thi'  lake,  which  prevailed  for  s(!vcral  days,  it  was  not 
nnlil  the'^oih  that  the  army  coidd  gel  under  wciL'h  ;  and  althouirh 
the  general  was  sulVerins;  from  a  disorder  which  rendered  his 
health  very  precarious,  his  anxiety  induced  him  to  5!ii])erintend 
theemharkaiion  in  person. 

A  few  days  before,  intelligence  had  heen  received  from  colo- 
nel Scott,  that  the  enemy,  in  consequence  of  the  departure  of 
the  American  army  from  Fort  (ieorge,  luid  also  ahaiuloned  that 
neighbourhood,  and  was  occn|)ied  in  conccniratiiiL''  iiis  forces  at 
Kingston,  in  the  belief  that  the  h-.uer  place  was  the  oiiject  of 
attack,  (icneral  Wilkinson,  to  favour  this  idea,  fixed  on  i'rench 
Creek,  which  lay  opjiositc  the  most  proper  point  of  dcl)arka- 
tion  on  the  (panada  side,  as  tfie  |)lace  of  rendezvous  for  the 
troops  alt(!r  their  entrance  into  the  .Si  Ii:nvrcnce.  nri<xadier 
general  Brown,  of  the  regular  service  ol"  iIk;  I'nited  States, 
was  ordered  forward  to  take  the  command  of  the  advance  of  the 
army  at  this  place.  On  the  Isi  of  Novcmher,  a  Hriiish  sfpia- 
dron  made  its  appearance  near  i'rench  Creek,  with  a  large  body 
of  infanlrv,  and  attacked  the  American  dctachmenls  there;  but 
a  batterv  of  three  eiuhteen-pounders,  skiilully  managed  by  cap- 
tains M'lMierson  and  Fanning,  soon  forced  them  to  retire. 
The  attack  was  renewed  the  next  moriiinu,  bui  with  no  bet- 
ter success  ;  and  as  the  other  corps  ol  the  army  were  now  daily 
arrivinir,  the  enemy  thought  jiroprr  to  nmve  oil".  On  the  Glh, 
the  army  was  embarked  on  the  river,  and  in  the  (;vening  land- 
ed a  few  miles  above  the  Mriiisli  Fort  I'rcscutt.  After  recon- 
noitering  tiu;  passage  at  this  j)l:\ce  and  llnding  that  the  fort 
commanded  the  river,  general  \\  ilkinson  dirccie^l  the  powder 
and  fixed  ainmunilion  to  be  transported  liy  land  to  a  sale  point 
below.  The  troops  were  also  debarked,  ami  marched  to  the  same 
point;  and  it  was  determined  »o  take  acivantaL^e  of  the  niirhl  lo 
pass  with  the  lloiilla,  on  board  of  which  a  snllicienl  luimber  of 
men  lo  navigate  it  had  been  left.  Availinu  hinii*elf  of  a  heavy 
fog  which  came  on  in  the  evening,  the  commander-in-chief  en- 
deavoured to  pass  the  fort  unobserved  ;  but  the  Nveailier  clearing 
up,  and  the  moon  shiniiiij,  he  was  discovered  and  fired  upon 
by  the  enemy,  (icneral  Hrown.  who  was  in  the  rear  with 
the  flotilla,  thought  it  prudent  to  halt,  until  the  niiihl  should 
grow  darker.  On  the  setting  of  the  moon,  he  jiroceetUul  down 
the  river,  and  being  again  discovered,  was  exposed  to  a  se- 
vere cannonade  of  three  hours.     During  all  this  lime  not  one 


!ii 


'f  - 


fi 


102 


IJRACKENRIDGE'S 


l)rsr«nt  itf  till-  St  Lawn^nrc 


.Ilrilisli  liarass  tlic  AriuTican  Amu  , 


out  (if  three  Iiiiiulred  boats  siillered  the  j^liylitcst  iiijurv  ;  iuul 
l)<'ti)r(^  ten  o'rluck  of  the  next  (l:iy,  they  li;ul  all  salt-ly  ani\t'(l  at 
the  phieo  ol'  (h'f>tiiiati(m.      A  iius>eii<rer  was  now  despatched  to 


o 


1'  ll 


le 


general    Hampton,   mlorn^in^    liini   ot    the  niovcmeuli; 
army,  and  recpiirinir  his  co-operation. 

'I'he  enemy,  havinj^  by  this  lime  penetrated  the  desijjn  of 
the  Anicricaiis,  endeavoiireil,  assidiionsly,  to  counteract  it.  'I'lic 
descent  of  our  troops  was  now  found  to  be  impeded  by  consiiier- 
able  bodies  of  tlic  i$rilish,  stationed  at  narrow  j)arts  ol' the  river, 
wliencc  they  eouhi  annoy  our  boats  within  musket  shot  ;  ami 
the  end)arra.-«snient  tiuis  occasionetl  was  increased  by  tli<!  dhiess 
of  the  commander-in-chief,  wliich  had  autimenled  in  th(!  most 
alarming  dc<,rree.  'J'he  army  was  also  delayed  for  lialf  a  day 
in  extricatinjr  two  S(diooners  loaded  with  provisions,  wiiich  Iuul 
been  driven  into  a  pari  of  the  river  near  Otidensburtr,  by  the  ene- 
my's lire.  On  the  7ih.  in  the  mornin^r,  a  corps  of  twelve  hun- 
dred men,  tmder  colonel  Macond),  was  despati-hed  to  remove 
the  ol)structions  to  the  descent  of  llu;  army;  and  al  three 
o'clock  he  was  followed  by  the  main  body.  Un  passinsr  the 
first  rapids  of  the  St  liawrence.  the  bariie  of  the  c«)min:tnder-in- 
ehicl  was  assailed  i)y  two  piices  of  artillery,  which  had  not 
been  perceixcd  by  colonel  Macond)  in  his  march.  iNo  iiijuiy 
was  done  except  to  the  riL''uini»' :  and  tin;  attention  .>f  the  enemy 
was  soon  diverteci  by  lienienant-eolonel  i'^usiis,  who  retmneil 
their  fire  from  some  liirul  l>arues  :  while  major  I'orsythe,  land- 
iuil  some  of  liis  rilliMiU'n,  atUicked  tlii-m  unexpccicdly,  and  i-om- 
pelled  tluMn  lo  retreat.  The  llolilla  eame-lo  about  six  :iiles 
l>elow  llamiliun;  wiure  the  j^eneral  reeeiveil  intelliucnc  e  that 
coloiu'l  Macomb  h:nl  rouicd  the  enemy  at  a  block-house  two 
inilos  below,  wwA  thai  tiie  draiiouns  attached  to  the  first  divi- 
sion  of  the  enemy  had  'leen  c(dlceied  at  a  place  calU.d  the 
^Vhit(!  House,  al  a  c.tntraciiou  ol  the  ri\ir.  (Mi  the  ani\;d  of 
tlie  Ib.ti'la  al  this  place  on  the  8th,  jicneral  Brown  was(M'(lercd 
to  no  foiward  with  his  iiri;>aile,  to  reinfoice  colonel  Macond) 
;.ad  to  laki  I'ommaud  ol  the  ;idvance  ;  while  the  comuKinder- 
in-ehief  ilirecied  the  transportation  of  the  draiioons  across  the 
Si  liawri'iicc.  'I'his  latter  business  was  ellected  dimng  the 
\u\i\\\.. 

The  liritish  troops  w  hich  bail  been  concentrated  at  Kiniiston, 
beini^  released  from  die  ;i[>|)ri'hensuui  of  an  ailack  on  that  place, 
innm  iliaiely  followed  the  American  army.  On  die  Uih,  they  had 
so  far  gained  epon  it,  that  a  skirndsh  was  briHiyhl  on  beiweeii 


tiie  Americ;nt  riilcmcn,and  a  |)ariy  ol  mdilta  and  indiai 


IS. 


'J" 


be  thus  harassed  l>y  a  lariic  body  ol  troops  haiiiiinij;  on  the  rear  ol 
an  armv,  is  a  situation  which  military  men  have  always  carefully 


n>  ''('■'Ml  I' 

avoided ;  ai 
secpieiice  ol 
hav(!  kept 
stationed  in 
woiilil    ha\i 
place ;  by  n 
passed  on 
cavalry,    ai 
GOn,  were 
of  the  /.im 
ing  the  arm 
stands  near 
witii  consi( 
current,  it  ' 
in  the  nieai 
lance. 

On  ihe  11 
under  bis  o 
second    re;. 
march  in  a 
nn-n  had   i 
them  in  tin 
passaLii'  of 
be  sui'ject 
bility  est  ill 
and'all  tip- 
number  sill 
command  i 
who  were 
tauious    at' 
at  the  heat 
comb's   an 
jiart  (d"  the 
and  Tweni 
him-<i  If  cii 
Satii.w  liici 
rillemcn  u! 
latter  was  ^ 
enemy's  <j: 
and  ctmi.u 
were  injur 
placeil   on 
assailants 

attemp.t  tl 
until  ihe  !« 


164 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


I>e«£enl  uf  llie  Si  I^nrence Uiittle  of  Cliryitller's  Field. 


At  ten  oN'lork  on  the  1  lili,  nl  the  inonieiit  lli:il  tlic  flotilla  was 
about  to  prorccil,  and  wiicn  :il  iIm;  .same  lini(!  tlif  division  under 
general  Unyd,  consistiiiir  ol  liib  own  and  llu;  Inijr.uU's  of  L'enorals 
Covingion  and  Swariwoui,  was  drawn  up  in  niarcliing  ortier, 
an  alarm  was*  jriven  that  the  enemy  were  approaciiinij  in  co- 
lumn. 'I'hc  c.'»mniander-in-ehier  anil  jrencral  Lewis  hciii}^  both 
too  much  indisposed  to  take  the  coniinand,  irencral  Moyd  was 
ordered  to  lace  about  and  attack  the  advaiiciiii^  Ibe.  'i'he 
enemy's  galleys  were  at  the  same  time  coniiitir  <lown,  for  the 
purpose  of  assailing  the  rear  of  the  American  Ihiulla.  (ieneral 
Hoyd  now  led  on  his  <letai-|nnrnt  formed  in  three  columns,  and 
ordered  a  part  of  general  Swarlwoiu's  hri^adc  to  move  forward 
and  bring  the  enemy  into  actittn.  Colonc  1  Kipley,  accordingly, 
at  the  head  of  the'l'wenly-first  rejiiment,  passed  the  wood  which 
skirts  the  open  grounil  called  Chrvstlcr's  Field,  and  drove  in 
several  of  the  enemy's  parties.  On  cntcriitg  the  field,  he  met 
the  advance  of  the  IJrilisli,  consisting  ol"  ilii;  I'orly-niiilh  and  the 
Glengary  regiments  :  and  iinmediaiely  ordered  a  charge.  'J'hia 
was  exccuteil  with  such  surprising  firmness,  that  these  two  re- 
giments, nearly  diHd)ic  his  in  nuni!)er,  retired  precipitately;  and 
on  makinif  a  stand,  were  a  second  time  driven  heforc;  the  bayo- 
net, and  compelled  to  pass  over  the  ravines  and  fences  by  which 
the  field  was  intersected,  until  lliey  fell  on  their  main  hody. 
(ieneral  Covinifton  had,  before  this,  advanced  upon  the  right, 
where  the  enemy's  artillery  was  posiei! ;  and  at  the  moment  that 
colonel  Ripley  had  assaileil  tiie  lell  llaiik,  he  forced  ihe  right 
by  a  determined  onset.  Success  appeareil  scarcely  doidjtful ; 
when,  unfortunately,  general  ('ovinglon,  whose  activity  had 
rendered  him  conspicuous,  becanu!  a  mark  for  liie  sharp- 
shooters which  the  enemy  had  stationed  in  ( 'lirystler's  house, 
and  was  shot  fnuii  his  horse.  The  fall  of  this  gallant  ollicer 
arrested  the  progress  of  the  bri<rade  ;  and  tin;  ariillery  of  the 
enemy  threw  it  into  ccmfusion,  and  caused  it  tolill  back  in  dis- 
order. The  Hritish  ••oinmaiuler  now  wheeled  part  of  his  line 
into  column,  with  the  \  iew  of  capturing  some  piei-es  of  artillery, 
which  were  left  unprotected  by  th'i  Americans.  A  body  of  dra- 
goons, under  adjutant  general  Walhach,  aitempted,  in  a  very  gal- 
lant manner,  to  charge  the  Hriiish  column  ;  builroin  the  nature  of 
the  ground  were  not  successful.  At  this  critical  moment,  colo- 
nel Kipley,  who  had  been  engaged  with  the  enemy's  left  tlank, 
threw  his  reeimem  between  the  artillery  and  tin;  advancing 
column,  and  frustrate  I  their  design.  'J'lie  l»riiish  fell  l)ack  with 
precipitati(»n.  'J'he  .American  regiments  which  had  hroken  had 
not  retireil  from  the  field,  but  still  continued  to  maintain  an  irre- 
gular light  with  various  success.     The  Twcnly-iirsl  having  by 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


105 


(Jrtifral  ll:iiii|iliin  ilfi-liiiis  cii-opiralioii  with  <;i'niT:il  Wilkiii-on. 

this  time  expnulpd  its  aninniiiilion,  aiul  hcintr  in  ^"  oxposed 
situation,  was  wiilidrawn  iVdin  the  position  in  wliicli  it  had 
been  placed  Iiv  colonel  Ripley  :  and  the  enemy  aijain  attempted 
to  possess  iJK'Miselves  of  the  artillery.  One  pieee  was  iinfor- 
tnnately  eaptured  by  iheni,  in  eonsetnuMice  ol' the  death  of  lieu- 
tenant William  S.  Smith,  who  commanded  it:  the  rest  were 
brouirht  oil'  hy  the  coolness  and  braverv  of  captain  Armstrong 
Irvine.  The  action  soon  after  ceased,  haviriL^  heen  kept  up  for 
two  hoiirs  hy  midiscipliiied  troo|is  aL^ainst  an  ecpial  number  of 
veterans.  The  liritish  force  consisted  of  detachments  from 
the  Forty-ninth,  Fij^hty-fonrth,  and  One  hundred  and  fourth 
reLMments  ot"  the  line,  and  of  three  companies  of  the  Vohiireur 
and   (ilenirary  corps.     'V\\v.  enemy  soon  after  retired  to  their 


canij),  aii'l  tlio  Americans  to  their  hoais. 

In  this  hatile  the  loss  of  the  Americans  amounted  to  three 
hundred  and  thirty-nine  wounded,  and  one  hundred  ami  two 
kdled.  Amoii!,'  the  killed  were  lieutenants  Smith,  Hunter  and 
Holmstead:  amonsi  the  wounded,  were  ireneral  ('ovin<jton,  wlio 
died  two  daysalterwards  ;  colonel  Freston  ;  majors  ("hamhers, 
Noon  and  Oumminirs  ;  captains  'I'owiisend,  Foster,  Myers, 
Camphell  and  JMuriliMU;  and  lieiiiiiiaiiis  lleaton,  Williams, 
liyiudi,  Felham,  Hrowii  and  ("reery.  The  IJritish  loss  could 
not  leave  hecii  less  than  that  of  tlu'  Americans. 

Hotli  parlies  claimed  ilie  victory  on  this  occasion:  hut  it  was 
properly  a  drawn  battle  ;  the  British  retirinj;  to  their  encamp- 
ments, and  the  Americans  to  their  boats.  Perhaps,  from  the 
circumstance  that  the  enemy  never  a<jain  assailed  tlie  Ameri- 
can army,  it  luay  Ix;  assumed,  that  they  were  defeated.  Ge- 
neral Brown  had,  in  the  meanwhile,  reached  the  loot  of  the 
Rapid,  aiul  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  army.  On  the  11th, 
the  army  jiroceeded  on  its  route,  aiul  joined  the  advance  near 
l?arnliart.  At  this  jilace,  informntion  was  received  which  at 
once  |)iit  an  end  to  the  lurlher  proseciiticui  of  the  design  CHi 
Montreal. 

On  the  0th,  a  few  days  before  the  battle  of  Chrystler's  Field, 
the  commander-in-chief  had  ^ent  orders  to  sieneral  Hampton, 
to  meet  him  at  Si  Regis.  A  letter  in  reply  was  r<!ceiv«'d  from 
general  Hampton,  in  which  he  stated,  that  owing  to  the  dis- 
closure of  the  scantiness  of  general  Wilkinson's  .supply  of 
provisions,  and  the  condition  of  the  roads  t(»  Si  Reikis  which 
rendered  it  impossible  to  transjjort  a  (luantitv  L'reater  than 
could  be  carried  bv  a  man  on  his  back,  he   had   delermin 


lie   had   uelermmeu  to 

a  eommunicaiion  with  the  St  Lawrence  at  (Joglinawa?o. 

About  the  time  that  general  Wilkinson  was  conceisirating  the 


open 


I 


-t 


16G 


liUACKENRTDCiE'S 


Gciicnil  llaiiipton  deacciiilii  tlie  (^hateuii);:iy  River Retreats. 

army  at  (IniKulicr  isliind,  iJii^paratory  lo  the  drsrciit  of  the 
St  Lawrence,  fieufral  llam|»t()ii,  with  a  view  to  a  re-idier 
co-operation  in  ihe  conteinplalfd  attempt  on  .Montreal,  had  de- 
scended the  (;hate:u.^'ay  river  iVoni  IMatt>hiiri(,  with  the  lorecs 
under  his  ('(Mnniand.  'I'he  Uritish  «^en('ral,  perceivini:  this  move- 
ment towards  Montreal,  had  collected  all  !iis  force  to  oppose  it. 
On  the'^lstof  Ocioher,  (leneral  Ilaniplon  fonnd  his  road  oh- 
strncled  hy  fi'.llen  tindx-r,  ;ind  andniscidcs  of  the  enemy's  militia 
and  Indians.  A  wood  oi ConsirliTahle  extent  lay  in  advance, 
llirouirh  which  it  was  necessary  to  pas.«« ;  ami  while  the  enijineers 
were  en^M^rcd  in  entiinj^  a  wa,  !  roujih,  ecdonel  I'nrdy,  with  the 
light  troops  and  one  re  •*■  ""-nt  of  tin;  line,  was  detached,  ^ith 
directions  to  turn  thcene:'  's  .  '.k,  and  then  seize  on  the  open 
connlry  Ix'low.  In  this  ;  •  siic(;^ "led,  iind  the  army  hy  the 
next  day  reaclmd  the  position  of  uw  advance.  Ahoiit  seven 
miles  fnriher  on  the  ronle,  was  another  wood,  wliic  h  the  enemy 
had  felled  and  formed  into  an  ahalis,  and  filled  with  a  snc- 
eession  of  hr(-ast-worl\s,  the  reaiinosl  of  which  was  well  sup- 
plied with  artillery.  (Jeneral  Prevost  was  niidcrstood  to  have 
conjmand  oi"  the  forces  which  had  these  works  in  cliarne.  On 
the  '25ili,  coltjiiel  rmdy,  uiih  tlic  l\\>{  l>iiii.ide,  was  ordered  to 
cross  the  river  and  march  down  on  the  opposite  side,  nntil  he 
should  have  p.isseil  the  enemy,  when  lu;  was  to  re-cr«>ss  and 
attack  him  in  his  rear;  whilst  the  hriijado  under  general  Izard 
would  assail  him  in  front,  ('olonel  J'lirdy  accordingly  crossed 
the  river;  hut  he  had  not  marched  far,  when  his  orilers  were 
count(!rinaiidcd.  On  hisret'.irn,  he  was  attacked  hy  the  enemy's 
infantry  and  Indians  ;  and  repelled  them,  alter  a  short  contest 
in  which  they  threw  his  column  into  some  confusion.  At  the 
same  monuMit  tliey  came  out  of  their  works  in  front,  and  at- 
tacktnl  g»Mieral  I/ard,  hut  were  soon  alter  compelled  to  retire 
behind  their  delences.  CJeneral  Hampton,  now  receiving  in- 
formation that  the  enemy  were  ohtainiiig  accessions  continually, 
resolved,  hy  llui  advice  of  his  olllcers,  to  retreat  to  a  position, 
which  he  luul  occupied  some  days  before,  called  the  Four  Cor- 
ners. Here  he  arrived  on  the  last  day  of  the  month.  Tlie 
British  claimed  a  victory  for  tliis  allair;  which,  they  said,  was 
gained  with  a  very  inferior  f(M*ce.  It  was  not,  however,  the 
intention  of  general  Hampton  to  penetrate  to  Montreal,  but 
merely  to  divert  the  attention  of  the  British  from  the  army  of 
general  Wilkinson.  Having  accomplished  this  (tbject,  he  fell 
back  to  a  position  whence  lu;  could,  with  greater  facdity,  make 
his  way  to  some  point  on  the  St  Lawrence.  It  was  then  that, 
in  reply  to  the  order  of  the  commander-in-chief,  he  despatched 


Aiin'rican  Ar 

the  letter  al 
compliance 
munication, 
which  it  wa^ 
no  longer  ati 
should   quit 
into  winter  i 
ral  Hampton 
and,  in  com 
them  to  L^ciK 
of  which  ii:\\ 
anticipations 
'I'his   une 
upon  all   the 
diversity  of 
and  the  pari 
kinson,  after 
forcemenl  ai 
persevereil  i 
paign  ;   and 
qualified  to  < 
utmost  vIl^oi 
military  met 
obeyed  ;  bui 
of  tlie  facts  ' 
conduct.     '1 
pose  of  supi 
perhaps  moi 
in  a  siluati<» 
the  failure  e 
might  ha\e 
unfair  ami  it 
While  ih 
mander  of  e 
modore  (JIu 
bring   the    ( 
Being  reinf 
a  cruise.     ( 
squadron  n( 
James   Yco 
northward, 
owing  to  til 
trived  to  kc 
see  river,  ( 
which  arose 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


107 


Aiiitrican  Ariniis  no  info \Viiitfr (luartcra FniliUf  of  t lie  lixjirilition. 

the  hnier  already  meniioncd,  stntiiiir  t!ie  impr.Trtiral)ilily  of  a 
compliance  with  it.    On  the  ici-(i|)i  of  general  Ilaiiiplarrs  com- 


f  the 


p'":ii<'ipal   olhccis   was  callc( 


I,  at 


municaiiou,  a  coimcil  o 

which  it  was  (Ictcrtiiiiu'd  that  tli»;  ()I)j('cts  of  tjic  campaign  were 
no  loiiircr  aitaitiahlo.  It  was  tlicrchtrc  resolved  that  the  aimy 
should  (jnit  llu;  Caindian  side  of  the  St  liawrcnce,  and  retire 
Into  winter  (piarters  at  Trench  Mills  on  Salmon  river.  (Gene- 
ral Hampton,  with  his  troops,  soon  after  follow* d  this  example  ; 
and,  in  consei|iieiiceof  indisposition,  resitincd  the  command  of 
them  to  iicneral  Izard.  'J'liiis  terminated  a  campaiiin,  the  issue 
of  which  iiave  rise  to  dissatisfaction  j)roporlioned  to  the  sanguine 
anticipations  which  had  heen  icdnhred. 

This  unexpected  turn  of  iillairs  appeared  to  cast  a  shade 
upon  all  the  hrilliant  successes  which  had  preceded.  Much 
diversity  of  opinion  prcvaihnl  as  to  the  causes  of  the  failure, 
and  the  parlies  who  oufrjit  to  hear  the  hlame.  (general  Wil- 
kinson, afierthe  disapiiointmcnt  which  he  met  with  in  his  rein- 
forcement and  supplies,  could  not  perhaps  with  prudence  have 
persevered  in  the  i)rosccution  of  the  oriiiinal  ohjcclof  the  cam- 
paiijn  ;  and  Ix-sides,  from  the  state  of  his  health,  he  was  not 
qualified  to  carry  into  execution  what  would  have  required  the 
utmost  vitjour  of  mind  and  body.  \\'ith  rcsiiect  to  Hampton, 
military  men  will  prol)al)Iy  say,  that  it  was  his  duty  to  have 
obeyed  ;  hut  if  we  piac{!  implicit  reliance  upon  lli(!  correctness 
of  llie  facts  which  he  allej^^ed,  it  will  be  dillicull  to  condenui  ills 
conduct.  The  presence  of  the  secretary  at  war,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  superinlcndini^  the  operations  of  the  campaiijn,  was 
perhaps  more  injurious  than  si-rviceable.  He  was  l)y  no  means 
in  a  situation  in  which  he  could  he  considered  responsible  for 
the  failure  of  the  plan;  and  yet,  in  the  event  of  success,  he 
miiilit  ha\e  claimed  the  merit  of  it  for  )us  own.  It  was  an 
unfair  and  improper  iiiterlerence  which  ouirlit  to  l)e  c(Midemncd. 

While  these  iliiiiiis  were  takino-  place  on  llu;  land,  the  com- 
mander of  oiir  s(piadron  on  Lake  Ontario  was  nf>t  idle.  Com- 
modore Chauncey,  it  has  been  seen,  after  his  first  attempt  to 
bring  the  enemy  to  action,  returned  to  Sacketl's  Harbour. 
ljein<i[  reinfoiced  by  an  a(l(liti<»iial  ^(•hooner,  he  .igain  sailed  on 
a  cruise.  On  the  7ili  of  Sejiiembcr,  he  discovered  the  British 
squadron  near  the  .Majrara,  and  immediately  stood  for  it.  Sir 
James  Y«'o,  on  jHM-cei\in(r  the  Americans,  made  sail  to  the 
northward,  lie  was  pursued  during  loiir  days  and  i^iiihts;  hut 
owini^  to  the  dull  stiilinir  (»f  most  of  the  ptirsuinj;  vessels,  he  con- 
trived to  keep  out  of  tlu  ir  reach.  On  ihe  fourth  day,  oH'  (iene- 
see  river,  commodore  Chauncey  took  advantage  of  a  breeze 
which  arose,  and  endeavoured,  while  sir  James  lay  becalmed,  to 


'^ 


I 


1    :•    Ir 


1 


III 

il 


108 


BRACKEXKIDGE'S 


close  with  iiiin;  hut  lie  was  not  ;il>le  to  ;u'corn]ilisli  this,  jis  the 
bree/c  ciiinc  iij)  with  the  eiu'iny  when  the  American  «<ina(h()n 
was  still  distant  hall'  a  mile.      Alter  a  riinniiii>  li:ihl  of  more  than 


tl 


jree   linnrs,  llic 


Mril 


ish  escaped;   and   the   next  niorninL'"   ran 


into  Ainhcrsi  ISay.     'J'hc  Anierii'an  eoninioddre,  ha\  iiii>  no  pilot, 
(lid  not  think  it  |)rndeiit  to  lullow  them;  and  contented  himself 

us- 


w 


ith  forminir  a  hlockade.      In   this  skirmisii,  the   Drilish  s 


tauKul  eonsideral)le   injury 


\\ 


hlle   thai  ol'  the   Americans  was 


very  trillinir.  The  hlockade  was  eontiiiiied  nniil  the  17th  of 
Sej)teiiil)er,  when,  in  eonseinienee  ol'  a  heavy  ^rale  from  the 
westward,  the  Hritish  cseaped  into  Kinirstoii,  and  the  Amuriean 
licet  returned  to  Sackett's  Ilarhonr. 

After  a  few  hours  delay  at  Sackett's  Ifarhoiir,  commodore 
Chaiineey  airain  saileil  towards  xNiajrara,  where  he  arrived  on 
the  21th  of  S(!pi(;ml)er.  On  the  IDth,  he  passed  sir  James  Yeo 
at  the  False  Ducks,  l)ut  look  no  notice  <d'  him  ;  ho|)ii!ii;  thereby 
to  draw  him  out  into  the  lake.  On  the  2»»ih,  the  American 
commodore  received  iiilormalion,  that  the  enemy  was  in  \ Ork 
Bay.  1I(!  therefore  made  for  that  plac««,  as  fast  as  his  dull 
sailinij  schooners  would  permit;  anil  on  the  2Hih,  early  in  the 
niorniiiiT,  disctovered  the  enemy  in  motion  in  the  bay,  and  im- 
nietliately  run  down  for  his  centre.  This  I)eiii^r  j)erc<'ived  l)y 
sir  James,  he  siootl  out  and  eiulcavoiired  to  escape  to  the  south- 
ward; hut  lindiii«r  that  the  American  lleel  was  closinjr  upon  liiin, 
he  ordereil  the  vessels  of  his  sijuadron  to  tack  in  succession,  and 
commenced  a  well  directed  lire  at  tin?  (General  IMke,  conimodorc 
Chauncey's  lla^-  ship,  with  the  view  of  coveriiii;  his  ri'ar.  As 
he  pass(!d  lo  leeward,  he  attacked  the  American  rear;  hut  this 
part  of  his  |)lan  was  frusiraled  by  the  skillul  inaiioiivrini^  of 
Chaiincev.  IJv  l)eariiii:  down  in  line  on  ilie  centre  (»f  iheenemv's 
S(|iiadron,  he  threw  them  into  siidi  coiilnsion,  ili.it  \\o  iiiinii'di- 
ately  bore  aw  ay,  but  not  lielori'  his  lla^j;  .-"hip,  ilu'  Wolf,  had  been 
rouiihiy  handled  by  that  of  the  cominod(U-e.  In  twenty  minutes, 
the  main  aiul  mi/en  top-masts  and  main  yard  of  the  \\ dlf  were 
shot  away  ;  but  tin;  liritish  coinmaiider,  by  seiiinii;  all  sail  on 
his  mainmast  and  keepiii<r  dead  before  the  wind,  was  enabli'ti 
to  outstrip  the  tireater  part  of  ( "hauncey's  s(iuadron.  'I'he  chase 
was  continued  until  three  o'clock,  1*.  .M.  ;  tiie  (Jeneral  l*ik(^ 
havinfi  tin;  Asp  in  tow,  anil,  ilurini>the  iireater  part  of  the  time, 
beiiiiT  wiihi'.  reach  of  the  enemy's  shot,  (-'aptain  (-'rane,  in 
the  Madison,  and  lii:uteiiant  Drown,  ol  tin;  (  hieitla,  iiseil  every 


exertion   to  close  w  itl.  the  eneinv,  but  w  ithoul  sueces.- 


Tl 


le 


pursuit  was  at  len^ith  reluctantly  •i.iven  tip  ;  as  ii  came  on  to  blow 
almost  a  ffale,  and  there  wa.^  no  hope  of  closini«-  w  iih  the  enemy 
before  he  could  reach  the   Uritish  batteries,  nor  w  itiiout  ffreat 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


100 


llo  r:i|itiiri'D  flvr  llrilinh  Arinrd  HrlirHitiRrii. 


risk  of  runiiinjf  ashore.  Tlio  eoinmodorn  wns  justly  pulitled 
to  claim  a  victory  in  this  al1";ur.  Alihnii!_r|i  thcciU'iJiy  were  not 
captured,  they  were  certiiiuly  hcalen ;  two  ol"  their  vessels  hail 
atone  linu;  heen  completely  in  tin;  comnnxlore's  power;  .unl  hut 
for  his  eagerness  to  close  with  the  whole  llccl,  they  could  not 
have  cllected  their  escape.  The  loss  on  honrd  the  (Jeneral 
Pike  was  considerable,  owiiiij  to  her  loiiij  exposure  to  the  fire 
of  the  enemy's  lleel;  which  was  seriously  ini'reased  hy  the 
hurstinir  of  one  of  her  l''H';^,  an  accident  hy  whi<'h  twenty-two 
men  were  killed  or  wonnded.  'J'he  vesstl  also  was  a  good  deal 
cut  up  in  her  hull  aiul  riL^LHUir. 

('ommodore  (Jhauncey,  shortly  after  :his  all'air,  cotnninni- 
cal(ul  with  general  Wilkinson  on  tin;  snliject  of  the  expetlition 
then  on  foot ;  anil  was  advisiul  in  continue  his  wnlch  of  the  ene- 
my's si(uaih()n,  and,  if  possible,  to  j^revenl  its  return  to  Kinjjs- 
ton.  In  the  hejjiiminir  of  t)ct(iber,  he  adain  pursued  the  hostile 
Heel  for  several  days, and  forced  it  to  taki;  refuire  in  Hurlini^ton 
liay  ;  and,  the  next  moruinu^,  on  sendiULT  the  schooner  Lady 
of  the  Lake  to  reconnoitre,  he  found  that  sir  James  had 
taken  advanlatre  ol'  tlii!  darkness  of  the  niyht,  and  escaped 
towards  Kinfrston.  Mui-h  pleasantry  was  indulired  in,  at  the 
shyness  of  the  Hriii.^li  kiULntt,  and  his  iii)<f;dlant  escape  from 
the  Jiady  of  the  Lmvc.  'i'lie  chase  was  now  renewed,  and, 
favoured  by  the  wind,  ilie  commodore  came  in  siaht  of  seven 
schooners  hclonuinii'  llie  enemy.  Hel'ore  sun-down,  three  of 
them  struck  to  the  CJeneral  I'ike:  another  to  the  Sylph  and  the 
Lady  of  the  Lake;  and  al'ierwards  a  (ifth  to  the  Sylph,  They 
turned  out  to  he  gun  vessels,  bound  to  the  head  of  the  lake  as 
transports.  Two  of  them  were  the  Julia  and  (irowler,  xvhicfi 
had  been  taken  from  the  Americans  by  the  enemy,  as  mentioned 
in  a  previous  chapter.  <  )n  board  id  the  captured  schooners  were 
three  hundred  soldiers,  belongiui:  lo  l)e  \\'alteville\s  regiment. 
It  was  ascertained  that  the  ship  of  sir  James  Yeo,  and  the 
Royal  Cieorge,  had  sull'ered  very  considerable  injury,  as  well 
as  loss  in  killed  and  wounded.  'J'he  enemy's  lleet  were  seen 
going  into  Kingston  the  same  evening  ;  ami  commodore  Chaun- 
ccy  remained  master  of  the  lake  during  the  remainder  of  the 
season. 

The  consecpiences  of  leaving  a  large  force  in  the  rear,  and 
withdrawing  the  troops  from  the  Niagara,  soon  began  to  be  felt. 
General  Harrison  reached  Bull'alosonje  days  after  the  departure 
of  the  commander-in-chief;  ami  although  directed  to  follow 
immediately,  he  was  compelled  to  wait  until  sometime  in 
November,  in  consequence  of  the  deficiency  of  transports.  It 
was  not  until  general  Wilkinson  had  gone  into  winter  quarters 


y 


rai' 


tri 


170 


nRACKENKIDCE'lS 


liiirnlriB  of  Ni-wnrk  liy  the  Atiierinitis KritlHli  Itctalinllon. 

that  Iliirrinoii  c'iiil)arke<l ;  ortlcrs  liaviiiir  jjreviout^ly  lucii  sent 
for  liiin  to  rcniaiii  at  Hulialo,  wliicli  uiilortiiiiati^ly  did  not  arrive 
until  aClor  his  drparliire.  Tort  Cieorge  was  lelt  under  the  com- 
inand  oJ"  ^(Mieral  M'CJIiirc,  with  troops  consislitif;  entirely  of 
inililia  whose  term  of  service  had  nearly  expired.  Hy  the  lOlh 
of  iJeeeinher,  his  force  hein^  rechiced  to  a  liandl'ul  of  men,  and 
a  consideral)le  hody  of  the  enemy  heing  within  a  few  miles  of 
him,  he  called  a  (roiincil  of  otlicers,  at  whieh  it  was  unani- 
mously a^rcctl,  that  the  place  was  no  longer  tenahlc.  (Scarcely 
had  the  j^eneral  lime  to  hlow  up  the  fort  and  pass  the  river,  be- 
fore the  British  appeared.  His  retreat  was  preceded  hy  an  act 
which  excited  universal  dissatisfaction  throughout  the  United 
States.  On  the  ('anadian  side  of  the  Niagara  and  situated  im- 
mediately below  wlu.re  FortCieorge  stood,  was  a  iiaiulsomc  vil- 
lage, called  Newark.  As  this  place,  IVom  its  situation,  woulil 
greatly  favour  the  besiegers,  authority  had  been  given  by  the 
secretary  of  war,  in  case  it  became  necessary  for  the  del'ence  of 
the  fort,  to  destroy  the  village.  'J'he  general,  niiscoiu'civing 
these  orders,  gave  twelve  iiours'  notice  to  the  inhal)itants  to  re- 
tire with  their  ellccts,  fired  the  buildings,  and  left  the  village  in 
Haines.  'J'his  act  was  no  sooner  known  to  the  American  govern- 
ment, than  it  was  promptly  disavowed.  On  the  (jth  of  January 
following,  the  order  under  which  general  M'Clure  conceiveil 
himself  to  have  acted,  was  enclosed  to  sir  (Jeorge  l*revost,  with 
a  formal  intimation  that  the  act  was  unauthorised.  'I'o  this  an 
answer  dated  the  HUh  of  February  was  returned  by  the  governor 
of  ('anada,  in  which  he  expressed  "great  satisfaction,  that  he 
had  received  assurance  that  the  j)erpetration  oi  the  burning  ol  the 
town  of  Newark  was  both  unauthorised  by  the  American  govern- 
ment, and  abhorrent  to  every  American  feeling  ;  that  if  any  out- 
rages had  ensued  the  wanton  and  unjustiliablc  destruction  of 
Newark,  jxis.sinij; //le  hoiUHla  ofjutit  rctdlia/ton,  they  were  to  be 
attributed  to  the  inlluence  of  irritated  passions,  on  the  part  of 
the  unfortunate  suH'erers  by  that  event." 

The  ilillerencc  of  the  principles,  on  which  the  war  was  car- 
ried on  by  the  Americans,  and  by  the  British,  was  very  striking. 
The  former,  uniformly  disavowing  the  system  of  retaliation, 
consiilered  the  outrages  committed  by  British  oflicers  unau- 
thorized, until  expressly  acknowledged  by  the  British  govern- 
ment: while  the  British,  on  the  contrary,  proceeded  atonce  to 
retaliate  any  violation  of  the  laws  of  war,  without  waiting  to 
inquire  whether  it  was  disapproved  or  sanctioned  by  our 
government.  Had  the  Americans  followed  the  example  of 
their  enemies,  the  burning  of  Newark  would  have  been  amply 
justified  by  the  outrages  which  had  been  wantonly  committed 


Fort  Maimrii 

on   Lnke  ('I 

afu-r  the  ma 

when  the  ca 

private  prop 

his  i'ommiss 

licly  di^<appl 

was  indeed 

remarkal)le 

ers  was  ack 

by  lonl  ('a> 

Sir  (Ji'ori 

proval  by  tli 

had  proceed 

geanci'  of  I 

l)ec(!inl)er, 

with  about 

and   tlu;  gar 

pally  invalic 

cllccted  the 

ard,  a i> pears 

had  hvi'.n  bi 

and  had  use 

scssed  then 

their  force, 

fire  and  swo 

major  Benii 

place,  toget 

and  the  to\\ 

to  ashes  ;  a 

Mallory  ad 

but  was  en 

30th,  a  Br 

ceeded  to 

militia  for  i 

enemy,  the 

great  exerti 

lieutenant 

The  whole 

of  ruin  and 

Thus  wi 

Even  the  I 

of  the  I2tl 

ment  has  o 

place  :'^  an 

a  system  c 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAR. 


171 


Flirt  Nlii;ptrii  Miiriirisfd |l<'<itriii  liim  ni'  [,i w  ■'•tuw  n,  lliitrnln  iitid  otlhT  ptiici**, 

on  Lakn  Champlnin  and  on  tli«^  sra-lxtnl ;  and  y«'l,  Hliortly 
.afl(!r  iIh!  niassacrc  and  ronllaL'ration  of  the  village  nl"  Hampton, 
wlini  the  (•a|)tain  of  an  Am(  rican  privatcrr  had  destroyed  some 
private  properly  in  the  We^i  l!i(hes,on  the  score  of  retaliation, 
Ids  eonnnission  was  in'<tantly  taken  from  him,  and  the  act  pnh- 
liely  disapproved.  'I'heir  hiuh  sen-e  ol  hoiiowrahh;  uarlare, 
WHS  inch'cd  mainlested  by  the  Anieriean  iroverninent  in  a  very 
rcmarkahlo  manner.  Our  humane  ireatmenl  of  llritish  prison- 
ers was  aeknowU'di/ed  in  the  Uiiiish  house  n['  eommoiis  even 
by  lord  ('astlereaLdi ;   hut  he  meanly  attributed  it  to  fear. 

Sir  (i(;orge  I'revost,  however,  without  waiiinjj  j'or  the  disap- 
proval by  iIh!  American  government  ol  tlu?  buruiui^  of  Newark, 
had  proceeded  loinllicl  a  retaliation  sulVicieiit  to  satiate  tin-  ven- 
geance of  llu!  tiercest  enemv.     At  davlii,dit,  on   the;    IWih    of 


1) 


eceujher,  rori  iMaifara  was  surprised  l)y  colonel  .Murray, 
with  about  four  hundred  Hritish  reirulars,  miliiia  and  Indians  ; 
and  tin;  jrarrison,  nearly  three  hundred  in  ninnl)er  and  princi- 
pally invalids,  was  j)ut  to  the  sword.  Not  more  than  twenty 
ellected  their  escape.  The  eommandiuK  ollicer,  captain  licon- 
ard,  appears  to  have  been  shamefully  neijliifent,  or  perhaps  he 
had  b(M,'n  bonjiht  by  the  enemy,  lie  was  absent  at  the  lime, 
and  had  nsv.d  no  precautions  afr-iiiist  an  assault.  Ilavinj^  j)03- 
sessed  themselves  of  this  post,  the  Mriiish  soon  after  increased 
their  force,  and  beyan  to  lay  waste  the  Niajrara  frontier  with 
fire  and  sword.  A  s|)iriied,  but  unavailinj^  attempt  was  made  by 
major  Bennett  to  defend  Lewisiown  from  the  enemy.  This 
place,  lojrelher  with  the  villa<res  of  Manchester,  Youn<jstown, 
and  the  town  of  the  'I'uscarora  Indians,  was  speedily  reduced 
to  ashes  ;  and  many  of  the  inhabitants  were  bulehereil.  Major 
Mallory  advanced  from  Schk)sser,  to  oppose  the  invailers ; 
but  was  comjielled  by  superior  nundters  lo  retreat.  On  the 
30lh,  a  British  detachment  laiuled  at  Black  Rock,  anil  pro- 
ceeded to  BulFalo.  General  Hall  hid  organized  a  body  of 
militia  for  the  defence  of  llie  place;  but  on  the  approach  of  the 
enemy,  they  could  not  be  induced  to  liDJd  their  {ground,  althoiigli 
great  exertions  were  made  by  majors  Staunton  and  Norton  and 
lieutenant  Riddle.  This  villaire  also  was  reduced  to  ashes. 
The  whole  frontier,  udeed,  for  many  miles,  exhibited  a  scene 
of  ruin  and  devastation. 

'J'luis  was  ample  venw.  ance  taken  for  the  burning  of  Newark. 
Even  the  British  general  was  satisfied.  In  his  j)roclamation 
of  the  I2th  of  January,  he  said,  "  the  opportunity  of  punish- 
ment has  occurred,  and  a  fit! I  measure  of  rtlribiilion  has  taken 
place:^^  and  he  declared  his  intenti»)n  of  "  pursuing  no  further 
a  system  of  warfare  so  revolting  to  his  own   feelings,  and  so 


:^. 


» 


172 


bhackenrii)(;f/s 


Mrctjnu  of  J'diiiiri'.ss Viidi-nri;  ofFarty  S|iirlt. 


little  coniroiiial  to  the   IJritish  oliaraeter. 


It 


would  have  been 


well  lo  a.-^k,  whether  the  coiillnsiratious  and  [tillairint^  antece- 
dently roinniittcd  on  liak(,'  ( 'h:ini|)l.iiii,  and  the  horrid  oiitraL'es 
in  Chesapeake  Hay,  in  the  ('()iirt>e  ol'  the  |)re\  iuus  smnnier,  wi-re 
not  an  ample  K»rt-olI"  lor  the  hurniiin  ol  .Newark  .'  Wotdd  that 
ihe  enemy  had  so  deemed  them!  The  all'.iir  eontimied  to  be 
foilowetl  iip  by  subseciuent  ret;ilial(»ry  nuasures  in  other  fiuar- 


ters  ol  our  extended  territorv 


'i'lie  devastatinL''  deeree  of  ad- 


miral Coehrane  was  loiindcd,  in  part,  on  the  destrnetion  ol 
Newark,  and  th(!  diarize  that  the  Americans  had  burnt  a  briek 
Iiouse  in  Upjier  (/Jinada,  in  which  they  lound  a  human  scalp. 
It  was  not  enoiijih  that  ili(!  biirniiiir  ol"  this  unlortmiate  villaLfe 
should  have  bt-eu  reprobated  and  I'.isavowed  by  our  govern- 
menL;  it  was  not  enou<ih  that  it  should  Ix?  expiated  by  an  ex- 
tensive course  ol"  murder  and  fonliat^ration,  which,  according 
to  the  admission  ol"  sir  ( Jeortre  I'rcvosl,  amply  glutted  tlie  ven- 
geance ol  IJritain  ;  but  our  extensive  sea-coast  ol  liriecn  hun- 
dred mih's,  aiul  our  populous  ajul  dourisliinij  cities,  nnist  be 
given  up  to  (U-struciion  and  piliatjc,  to  till  up  the  measure  of 
Hritisii  retaliation.  These  events  will,  however,  be  detailed  ir-. 
their  proper  "place. 


ciiArTi:R  xui. 


MirOiij;  iif  «'iiiiL'ri'»— \"iiil<  in.  c,r  I'.ni)  S|iiiii— rniiictiilly  "l.|nirtm«nt  i>f  tin-  New 

Knuhlliil    Slali-.s — Misisiins    Inr  r:iii\  in;;   mi    llir    W  ;il     -Itnulir-t    In  'r:i\;illi)ll  — A<l<>|i 

lioit  III' iiKMiis  I'lii' iririiitiiii:  III!'  Aiiiiv  Iniiir-iiin:  <;isc  nl"  imniN -tlin  •■  AiiKfuun 
rrHi>rnr— ArnivMiMi  ni'ilii  lintisli  (m.m  i  mn  iii  — l»i  IimIcs  in  ('i.tiar*-—  on  ili.  -ubjccl 
—  Kcniill  nl'  III)'  0(li;il('s-..|iii|iiii\  li>  <■(  III  Lire -s  iiidi  tin-  iiimiih  r  ill  u  !ili  li  tli>'  NVitf  liiul 
iKcii  rami  i|  nil  liy  ihi  Kik  iii\  —  Amirii  an  ('ciiiiii»is>ioiuis  i>ri'iu«.r  scut  l«>  GtiUtiitiurS? 
— Tlii'  War  yaijis  grniiud  in  I'ulila  ti|iinupii. 

On  the  Gth  of  l)eceml)cr  iHi;},  i]m  eoiiLM-ess  of  the  United 
Slates  airain  assembled.  'J'lie  fever  of  parly  spirit  had  almost 
reached  its  crisis,  and  the  debates  in  thai  body  were  character- 
ized by  a  vindiMU'e  and  animosity  which  hatl  never  before  been 
witnessed  since  tlie  foundation  ol"  our  iiovcrninenf.  It  would 
be  iiujiroper,  at  this  date,  to  enter  minutely  into  the  discussion 
of  a  subject  which  at  any  rale  had  better  be  forgollen;  and  lu  a 


narraliv 
On  the  c 
spirit  of 
every  mi 
tory  rej( 
existed 
power  w 
its  comi 
and  wit! 
the  pret 
respect 
its  canst 
grew  3 1 
propose! 
justice  a 
any  cam 
allhougl 
imprope 
of  whon 
forndy  ii 
the  no  1( 
rirst  bee: 
Mr  Wei 
the  adm 
Notwilb 
whicdi  t 
port  of 

In  sor 
cd  on  in 
in  the  bi 
by  any  n 
in  other 
mass   ol 
hibited. 
time  ad( 
nmeh  n 
the  soul 
parti  alii; 
Canada 
Hritish, 
governn 
had  so  r 
measure 
ance  it 
remain  ( 


HISTORY  OF  'I'lIE  WAK. 


173 


fcV, 


Unfriendly  DfiinrHiitnt  of ihr  Nfw  Knt'lnnil  Siatis. 

narrative  of  the  events  of  the  war,  there  is  scareely  room  for  it. 
On  the  one  side,  we  find  the  opposition  accused  of  inanifej^ting  a 
spirit  of  hostility  to  their  country,  and  a  determined  resistance  to 
every  measure  forcarryingon  the  war,  ahhouirfi  from  the  peremp- 
tory rejection  hy  Great  Britain  of  the  Russian  methaiion,  there 
existed  no  hope  of  peace.     On  the  other  hand,  the  party  in 
power  were  cliarged  with  having  ruined  the  country,  destroyed 
its  commerce,  involved  it  in  dehts  whicli  it  could  never  pay, 
and  wit.'i  being  engaged  in  a  guilty  project  of  conquest,  under 
the  prelextof  vindicating  national  rights.     Every  measure  with 
respect  to  the  w^r  was  sure  to  involve  in  it  a  consideration  of 
its  causes,  and  the  same  discussions  were  rencnved  until  they 
grew  stale  by  repetition.     The  opposition  to  every  measure 
proposed  for  the  prosecution  of  hostilities  turned  upon  the  in- 
justice and  wickedness  o(  the  war.      By  some  it  was  denied  that 
any  cause  of  war  existed  ;  and  hy  others  it  was  alleged,  that 
although  we  had  cause,  the  time  chosen  for  declaring  it  was 
improper.    Among  the  members  in  opposition  was  Mr  Webster, 
of  whom  it  is  but  justice  to  say,  that  his  sentiments  were  uni- 
formly national.     'I'lie  splendid  abilities  of  this  gentleman,  and 
the  no  less  splendid  l)ut  more  popuhir  career  of  Mr  ('alhoun, 
lirst  became  conspicuous  about  this  period.     'I'he  opposition  of 
Mr  Webster  was  maidy  and  generous.     'J'he  support  given  to 
the  administration  by  Mr  Calhoun,  was  fervid  ami  powerful. 
Notwitl'.sti'.nding  the  warm   and  often   intemperate  debates  to 
which   these  subjects  gavt;  rise,  the  diU'crent  measures  in  sup- 
port of  the  war  continued  to  be  carried   by  large   maj(.rilies. 
In  some  of  tiie  New  England  states,  the  opposition  was  carri- 
ed on  in  a  spirit  of  animosity,  which  occasioned  serious  regret 
in  the  breasts  of  the  more  considerate.     Sui-h  conduct  did  not, 
by  any  means,  nieet  with  the  concurrence  of  the  opposition  party 
in  other  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  certainly  not  of  the  great 
mass   of   the   population  of  the   states   in   which    it  was   ex- 
hibited.    The  ell'ects  of  the  embargo,  which  was  about  this 
time  adopted,  and  the  non-intercourse,  it  was  said,  were  felt 
much  more  severely  by  the   peojjle  of  New  England,  than  in 
the  southern  districts  ;   and  the  administration  was  accused  of 
partiality.     It  was  alleged  in  rc|)ly,  that  the  smuggling  on  the 
Canada  line,  and  the   trade  from   the  northern  pints  with  the 
British,  was  carried  on  to  such  an  extent,  as  almost  to  put  the 
government  at  defiance :  and  that  the  British  s(]uadron,  which 
had  so  much  harassed  the  southern  coasts,  had  been  in  a  great 
measure  supplied  to  the  northwarti,  when  without  such  assist- 
ance it  would  have  been  difiicult,  if  not  impossible,  for  it  to 
remain  on  our  shores. 


*•  ;l 


it'i 


174 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Mf.tHUic.s  for  carrying  tm  llif  Wnr UcrniirBe  to  Taxation. 


The  war  had  liitlierto  been  supported  by  means  of  loans;  as 
the  resources  of  the  frovcrnment,  whicli  were  derived  exclusive- 
ly from  sales  of  public  lands  and  from  imposts,  were  altofiether 
inade(iuate.  It  was  now  perceived  tbat  even  as  the  security  upon 
which  to  support  a  credit  these  were  insuHicient ;  and  it  was 
therefore  delerniined  to  create  an  internal  revenue.  Tiiis  mea- 
sure, it  n)ay  said,  onaht  to  have  been  coeval  with  the  war:  but 
the  unwillinjrne.ss  of  the  people  to  submit  to  taxation,  bad  ah-eady 
been  seen;  and  hence  it  was  the  wish  of  tbe  administration 
to  avoid  it  as  lonj^  as  possible.  At  the  decbu-ation  of  war,  it 
was  believed  that  I]n»>land  w ould  strarccly  require  us  to  give 
j)rGof  of  our  abiliiy  to  carry  it  on.  'V\\v  pruj)osals  for  a  cessa- 
tion of  hostilities,  ami  the  proll'cred  Russian  mediation,  kept  up 
the  hopes  of  peace  for  a  time ;  and  a  measure  disairreeable  to  the 
people  was  therefore  delayed  until  it  had  become  unavoidable, 
or  rather  until  it  was  calleil  for  !)y  tbemselves.  Tbe  cxpciises  of 
the  war  had  also  unexpeciciUy  increaseil,  from  the  unlooked-for 
reverses  of  our  arms  to  the  westward,  and  tbe  t-onsetiuent  neces- 
sity for  tbe  creation  of  lleets  on  the  lakes  ;  wbilc  the  means  of 
meetiuir  tliem  were  diniinisbed  by  tbe  unw  iiliuiiuess  of  tbe 
New  Ent^land  people  to  join  bearlily  in  its  jirosecuiion.  Had 
we  possessetl  ourselvi's  of  I  |)per  (Janaila,  tliere  is  very  little 
doubt  that  we  should  bave  had  peace  the  lirsi  year  of  the  war; 
for  it  was  not  imtil  sbe  discovered  our  weakness  on  our  north- 
ern and  western  froniiers,  tJiat  Enaland  rejected  tbe  Russian 
mediation.  Not  tbat  tbe  loss  of  Canada  w  ouhl  have  been  a 
matter  of  so  much  (.'onseiiuence  to  Cireat  Hriiain  ;  but  tbat  it 
would  hav(!  furni^bed  bcr  with  conclusive  proof,  tbat  she  could 
have  no  hope  of  severiiiL^  tbe  union  i)y  sowing  dissensions  be- 
tween tbe  dillerent  stales. 

'i'be  next  thing  wiib  which  tbe  national  legislature  occupied 
itself,  was  tbe  ])rovision  of  nuans  lur  fdiing  the  ranks  of  tbe 
army.  The  dilliculty  of  inducing  men  to  enlist  continued  to 
increase,  and  (jven  I'urnisbed  an  arLniUicnt  to  prove  tba.t  tbe 
war  was  not  popular.  Ilut  tbis  could  be  easdy  accounted  for, 
from  the  natural  reluctance  of  all  men,  not  actually  urtred  bv 
tlieir  necessities,  to  enter  into  a  jjositive  engagement  to  serve  as 
common  soldiers  for  a  numlier  ol'  years,  liesides,  the  profession 
of  the  conunon  soldier,  during  our  long  jjcace,  antl  on  account  of 
the  inconsiileraljh;  lone  kept  on  loot,  had  sunk  very  low  in  the 
estimation  of  tbe  people:  ;in  enlisted  sohlier  was  almost  a  pro- 
verbial name  for  a  lazy,  worthless  fellow.  An  idea  was  also 
prevalent,  that  the  obligations  of  the  enlisteil  soldier  created  a 
species  of  slavery  ;  or,  at  least,  were  incompatible  with  repub- 


I 


Meann  oi  fi 


licau  free  ( 
of  spiritec 
The    son? 
enough  it 
militia  dut 
iient,  or  w 
matter, 
ollering  o 
holding  o 
judic(!  ag 
passed,  in 
in  mone\ 
confidend 
During 
to  the  coi 
diers,  tak 
were    del 
native-boi 
undergo  ; 
governnu 
a  like   ni 
to  keep  il 
structions 
known    t 
ment  ^va: 
was   ordi' 
non-conn 
in   bis   le 
tbat  be  b 
Ih-ilisb  J) 
tw(;niy-il 
guilty  an 
country  i 
tbe  nuud: 
further  n 
ment,  tb: 
j)rosecui( 
tbis   notii 
from  put 
Cieneral 
nature  ol 
prise  at 
the  linit( 
ment  of 
any  cons 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


175 


MennR  of  recruiting  tin;  Army f'as*'  of  twenty  three  Aintriciiii  rrisoiiers. 

lican  freedom:  this  was  siiMioierU  to  prevent  ;i  great  number 
of  spirited  and  cnlcrprisintr  young  men  from  entering  the  army. 


'he 


sons   o 


f   farmers,    and    vumi 


ng    meclianws,   were  willmg 


Hi 


enough  to  engage  us  vohintcers,  or  to  turn  out  on  a  tour  of 
militia  duty  ;  but  to  enter  into  rniragonu'uts  which  were  perma- 
nent, or  w  hii'h  they  regarded  as  disreputable,  was  a  very  dillerent 
matter.     'I'he  only  mode  of  eomljating  this  aversion,  was  the 


onerini:  o 


f  ext 


ravair 


ant  I 


)()uniu's  ;  not  so  much  wi 


th  tl 


le  view  o 


f 


iioldiiig  out  a  bait  to  cupidity,  as  to  o'. ercome  the  popular  pre- 
judice against  this  mode  of  serving  the  country.  A  law  was 
passed,  increasiiiii  ihe  pay  of  privates,  and  giving  them  bounties 
in  money  and  lands  to  a  considcriibh"  aniovmt.  Tliis,  ii  was 
conlidcndy  hoped,  would  produce  the  di'>ircd  tll'eet. 

During  (his  session  u  very  interesting  subject  was  submitted 
to  the  consitleration  of  conirress.  Twenty-three  American  sol- 
diers, taken  at  the  battle  of  l^uceiistown  in  ihi!  autumn  of  IH12, 
were  detained  in  close  eonlincment  (Mi  the  charge  of  being 
native-born  IJrilish  subjects,  and  afurwards  sent  to  Mngland  to 
undergo  a  trial  for  treason.  On  this  bcinir  made  known  to  our 
government,  ordtjr;-  were  iriven  to  jjencral  Dearljornc  to  confine 
a  like  number  of  lirilisii  prisoners  taken  at  i'ort  (Jeorgc,  and 
to  keep  them  :is  hostages  lor  ih»'  s;ilciy  of  the  Americans;  in- 
structions which  were  carrieil  inU)  ell'eet,  anil  soon  alter  made 
known  to  the  governor  of  Canaila.  The  IJrilish  govern- 
nu'ut  \\  as  no  sooner  iiilornu'd  ol  this,  than  governor  Prevost 
was  ordered  to  place  foriy-six  American  commissionetl  and 
non-commissioned  otlicers  in  confinement.  (Jovernor  l^revost, 
in  his  letter  to  general  Wilkinson  upon  this  subject,  slated, 
that  he  had  i)een  directed  K^  apprise  him,  that  if  any  of  the 
IJrilish  prisoners  should  suder  death,  in  consetpience  of  tlie 
tweniy-ihree  American  sohlnrs  above  mentioned  being  found 
guilty  and  the  known  law  t)f  vircal  Urilain  and  ol  every  other 
country  in  similar  circumstances  beinL^exeeuieil  on  them,  doid)le 
the  number  of  Ameriean  ollicers  shoidd  suller  iiist.uU  deaili :  he 
further  notified  the  general,  for  ilit-'  i!il(Minatiim  of  liis  govern- 
ment, that  orders  had  bei  (i  jiiven  to  the  IJriiish  eommamlers  to 
prosecute  the  war  with  unrelenting  severity,  if  unhappily,  after 
this  notice,  the  American  govermnent  shoulil  not  be  deterred 
from  pulling  to  death  the  British  s(ddiers  now  in  cojilinemenl. 
General  Wilkinson,  in  his  rej)ly,  forbore  to  animadvert  on  the 
nature  of  the  procedure,  but  could  not  help  expresaing  his  sur- 
prise at  the  threat  by  which  the  Hriiish  governnKUt  suj)posed 
the  I'nited  States  could  bo  awed  into  subn\ission.  "  The  govern- 
ment of  the  [Iiiiled  States,"  said  he,  "  cannot  be  deterred  by 
any  considerations  of  life  or  dcu'.li,  of  depredation  or  conllagra- 


•  'I 


.% 


176 


BRACKENUIDGE'S 


Arroaaiir(>  of  U»'  Urilisli  '.'ivcrnnicnt. 


Wiirin  l)<'hate«  in  Conun'ss. 


tion,  r.om  1*1'  faillifil  dts  •l;arjrtt  til'its  duty  towards  the  AmoricJiii 
people."  i'li'"  arrogance  and  liaufilitiness  of  the  Hritisili  olficer 
in  h.  '..Mig  this  language,  so  lar  (Voni  intiniidalinfj  a  people 
who  arc  proud  of  their  independence  and  jealous  of  their  na- 
tional honour,  was  only  cahuilated  to  render  resistance  more 
obstinate;  and  justly  excited  the  indignation  of  every  American. 
General  Wilkinson  soon  after  informed  governor  Pr(>vo.st,  that, 
in  consequence  of  orders  he  had  received  from  his  f^ovcrnment, 
he  had  put  forty-six  liritish  ollicers  in  'confinement,  to  he  there 
detained  until  it  should  be  known  that  the  American  odicers 
were  released.  (Jn  the  receipt  of  this  intelligence,  the  Canadian 
governor  ordered  all  the  American  prisoners  into  close  conline- 
ment;  and  a  similar  step  was  soon  after  taken  by  our  govern- 
ment. 

This  interesting  subject  gave  rise  to  warm  debates  in  con- 
gress. One  party  insisted  that  (ireal  Hrilain  had  a  right  to 
her  subjects,  in  all  situations  and  mulcr  all  circumstances  ;  that 
they  were  in  fact  her  property,  and  without  her  consent  they 
never  could  free  themselves  from  her  authority.  They  contend- 
ed further,  that  a  man  cannot  divest  himself  of  his  allegiance  to 
the  government  of  the  country  in  which  he  happens  to  l)e  born  ; 
that  although  he  may  leave  the  country  of  his  birth  lor  a  lime, 
he  never  can  expatriate  hi.. ^self.  'J'he  procedure  ol Our  admin- 
istration, in  attempting  to  prevent  the  IJritish  governujent  from 
punishing  natives  of  (ireat  Britain  naturalized  iii  this  country 
for  taking  up  arms  against  that  power,  was  condemned,  ll 
was  immaterial,  it  was  asserted,  tliat  such  persons  had  resided 
arnong  us  ten  or  even  twenty  years  before  the  war;  they  must 
be  regarded  in  the  same  light  as  deserters  from  ?(<  ^iritish  arm- 
ies. It  was  answereil  on  the  olhci  side,  tliaf  m  ill  became 
Americans  to  deny  the  right  of  expatriation  on  principle;  how- 
ever we  miglit  from  necessity  yijdd  to  the  unjust  laws  of  other 
nations,  where  the  subject  is  regarded  as  a  slave — lor  he  that 
has  an  oirncr  whom  he  cannot  change,  is  indeed  a  slave.  Can 
it  be  possible,  it  was  asked,  for  an  American  to  contend  on 
principle,  that  a  free  man  cannot  change  his  allegiance,  and 
attach  himself  to  the  country  of  his  choice,  but  that  he  must 
for  ever  drag  a  chain  after  him  at  every  remove  .'  8uch  a  doc- 
trine could  only  originate  in  that  species  of  slavery  c;dlcd  the 
feudal  pystem ;  and  was  indeed  closely  allied  to  that  of  the  divine 
right  oi  u'ngs,  or  rather  of  legitimate  sovereigns  ;  whii'h  goes 
so  far  as  to  assert  tl  ■>'  no  government  is  lawfid,  unless  it  exists 
in  the  hands  of  some  one  who  ••bums  it  by  birthright — or  at 
least,  lb;.'  this  i :  ih«M)nlyju8t  founduion  of  European  ilyui'.sties. 
If  wc  ought    io*.  lo  reprobate  such  eystems  of  government,  it 


IS  permissil 
;idmir»!  tbei 
institutions 
giance  is  a 
unavoidaiil 
other  natioi 
it  was  luri 
uniform 
acknowlcili 
subjects  ol 
exchaiiL^ci 
foreiLMicrs 
same  fooliii 
protectit)n. 
ing  her  sul 
citizens, 
adopted  sill 
eigners,  tlu 
the  same  tl 
plain  .'     A 
the  {{liiish  ! 
had  entiaL^t 
to  serve  ag 
house (d  CO 
case  the  Vx 
and  it  was 
went  much 
grave  dccla 
the  firitish 
llockcd  to  I 
his  Mriiann 
the  latter 
the  IJriiisb 
and  prac-ii( 
that  oi  the 
The  resi 
firmness  tl 
if  (Jreat  \U 
tiie  war  bit 
already  rei 
States  muf 
man  of  coi 
Somewl 
was  set  01 
on  by  the 


HISTORY  01'  '{'lib   WAK. 


177 


f 


Ito.xiilt  of  thf  Di'liiiti'S. 


IS  pormi.ssihle  to  view  tiiciu  with  CfMnpasslon  ;  for  we  cannot 
athniro  tlicni,  uitliout  at  llic  bamc  iirmMlcspisiiiij  our  own  iiol)le 
instiiutions  I  The  principh;  of  American  liberty  is,  tlial  alle- 
giance is  a  natter  of  choice,  not  force  ;  ami  however  we  tnay 
unavoidahly  u'wv  way,  where  we  inlerl'ere  with  the  iisaj^rs  of 
otiier  nations,  we  oniihl  ne\<'r  to  approve  the  j)riiiciple.  Hut, 
it  was  I'urlher  conttMuhd,  that,  accordini^  to  the  lasv  and  the 
.Jiiiform  practice  of  nations,  the  right  of  expatriation  was 
acknowlediTcd.  Ninnennis  instances  were  ciii'd,  where  the 
subjects  (if  a  natien  taken  in  arms  auainst  her,  were  reiiularly 
exchanired.  The  practn'c  of  (J real  Hritain  in  naturali/.inij 
foreiifners  was  also  shown  :  bv  which  they  were  placed  im  the 
same  fontini,'  with  her  native  cili/ens,  and  eijwally  eulilled  to 
j)rotecti()ii.  ,Sh('  could  not  objefi  to  our  jiraclice  of  naturaliz- 
injj^  iier  subjcrcts,  as  she  did  the  same  thinj.'^  with  respect  to  our 
citizens.  Would  .s/tc  not  thirdc  herself  Ixmud  to  i)rotecl  her 
adoj)ted  stdtjects  (  If  the  I'nited  Stales  ahuie  naturali/ed  for- 
ciiiners.  tlu^  case  mi"rht  thijn  rest  on  its  priucijiles;  but  \\lun 
tlie  same  thinj^  is  done  e\t'ry where,  who  has  a  riLdit  to  com- 
plain .'  A  case  in  point  was  adduced,  to  show  i!ie  practice  of 
the  Hrilish  trovi'rnnitiit,  w  bcrc  she  was  diMerently  situated.  She 
liad  eni;aL''ed  in  her  scM'vice  a  re^jiment  of  I'rench  euiiLMants, 
to  serve  against  France:  and  the  (|iiestion  was  agitated  in  the 
house  (d  commons,  wheilu^r  she  shoidd  proceed  to  retaliate,  in 
case  tiie  French  shoidd  jmt  any  of  them,  ii  ('ajitured,  to  death: 
and  it  was  aLn'eed  that  such  woulil  have  been  her  tluty.  She 
went  nnich  further  than  the  American  government:  lord  Mul- 
grave  tleclared  in  debate,  that,  "  while  he  had  the  commantl  of 
the  IJrilish  troops  atTouUm,  ami  of  ihe  I-'reuch  who  voluntarily 
llocke<l  to  their  standiud,  inider  ilu'  atahority  ami  invit:ilion  of 
his  IJritannic  inajesiy's  proclamation,  he  had  always  considered 
the  latter  entitled  to  the  same  proleclion  in  ev(>ry  respect  as 
tiie  15ritisli  troops."  Thus  it  appeared,  that,  both  in  principle 
and  practice,  the  conduct  of  (Ireat  Britain  hud  been  similar  to 
that  of  ihe  I'nited  States. 

The  result  of  this  debate  was  a  tlelermination  to  maintain  wilii 
firmness  the  i)osition  which  iIk;  administration  had  taki  n ;  :md 
if  (Jroat  IJritain  persisted  in  the  unhappy  resolution  of  rendering 
tjie  war  bloody  beyond  the  example  of  mo(l<'rn  times,  as  they  had 
already  rendered  it  nujst  barliaroiis  and  feroci  nis,  the  I'nited 
Slates  must  reluctantly  pursue  a  course  to  be  lamented  by  every 
man  of  common  humainty. 

Somewhat  connected  witli  this,  was  an  investigation,  which 
was  set  on  foot,  of  the  spirit  in  whieh  the  war  had  Ix.'cn  carried 
on  by  tiie  eiu.inv.     The  report  of  ihe  connnitlee  charged  with 


% 


178 


BRACKENRin(iE'S 


Inqiiir)  by  ('<incrf!>s  into  i\w  Kiictri)  V  iniiitc  of  rnrryinf!  i)n  the  War. 


it  pnumeratcci  tlin  various  inst.inros,  in  wliicli  ilio  Itritish  mili- 
tary ai.d  naval  ollicers  Iru!  violated  all  the  known  usajies  of 
civili/ed  ikations,  in  their  manner  ol"  i'ondu(;tin,ir  tlio  war  nvainst 
the  United  Statoj*.  'J'he  niassacros  on  llu;  river  Raisin,  the 
depredations  and  ronllaL'^rati(»ns  aloiijf  tlic  lakes  Ik  lore  there 
existed  any  pretext  for  retaliation,  and  the  harharoiis  warfare  of 
the  sea  coast  were  spoken  of  in  terms  of  the  stroiiiresl  reproba- 
tion. 'I'he  war,  on  the  part  of  (ireat  Britain,  had  hccn  carried 
on  nearly  in  the  same  spirit  as  at  tlu!  commencement  of  our 
strnfTiile  for  independence:  she  appeared  to  he  aclnaled  by  a 
beliel  that  she  was  chastising  relx^llions  subjects,  anil  not  con- 
tending with  an  independent  nation.  'J'he  treatment  of  Ame- 
rican prisoners  was  the  most  cruel  that  can  he  imagined:  several 
hundred  unhappy  w  retches  were  slnit  up,  without  l':iiit  or  air, 
in  the  holds  of  "^hips,  a;i(l  in  this  manner  were  earri'nl  across 
the  Atlantic.  ]n  this  cru'l  and  imnetressary  Iransporlalion  many 
of  our  countrymen  perished,  and  all  (experienced  suJlerings 
almost  incredible.  Such  treatment  was  contrasted  with  that 
received  f<y  Hniisli  prisoners  in  this  country,  who  in  fact  were 
treated  more  likcguestri  than  |»risoners.  The  committee  declared 
itself  s:»li«tied,  frntn  flip  ovirif  nee  siihmitted  to  if,  that  (Jrerit  Brit- 
ain had  violated  the  laws  of  war  in  the  most  flagrant  manner; 
and  submitted  to  congress  the  propriety  of  devising  some  mode 
of  pii'ung  a  stop  U,  ?uch  disgraceful  conduct.  lUiong  the  most 
extraordinary  of  the  ew  lu)  *s  acts,  was  the  putting  in  close  con- 
finement the  unfortunaie  Americans  who  had  been  kidnapped 
by  her  before  the  war  and  compelled  to  fight  her  battles. 
Motit  ttro  l/ioiifsfintl,  wlio  were  ackisowledged  to  he  Americans, 
on  refusing  to  fight  aga'ust  their  country,  were  compelled  to 
undergo  the  same  treatmir..  as  if  they  had  been  prisoners  of 
war.  This  was  indeed  accumulating  outrage  upon  outrage. 
It  were  well  if  this  had  been  the  u  hole  number;  but  there  was 
every  rea«<on  to  believe,  'hat  by  far  a  larger  number  were  still 
compelled  to  obey  thv  ollicers  w  ho  had  enslaved  them,  uitder 
ihe  pretence  that  Uey  were  not  Americans. 

It  has  been  n>'  iHoned.  vhat  Russia  had  olFered  her  media- 
tion. Under  the  'luiiH .  pre^^xt  vA'  being  imwilling  to  submit 
her  rights  to  the  <iecision  of  in  umpire,  this  was  declined  by 
Great  Britain;  abhoug".  noiliing  of  the  kiiul  was  |>rop«>sed, 
the  interference  of  the  emperor  of  Russia  terminating  when 
the  contending  parties  i\m\  been  brought  together.  The  Prince 
Regent,  howevr,  olT«.rei'  a  direct  iu\^n)iialiiui  at  London  or 
Gottenbcg.  This  was  no  sooner  maile  known  to  our  uovern- 
ment,  than  it  was  accepted.  In  addition  to  the  commissioners 
already  iu  Europe  under  the  liussian  mediation,  the  president 


IIISTOKY  OF  THE  WAR. 


179 


('iifiiini.«.>i(iticrr>  hciil  to  (•iitti'iiliiiri; ^Viir  uiiiiim  ltoiiiuI  mi  I'liiilir  <  i|>irii<>ii. 


nnniiiiiitrd  Henry  Cluy,  Joiiatlian  liusiscl  and  Albert  (tallatin 
as  comiTiissiouers  of  j)e:i(<' ;  and  llu'v  soon  after  lell  this  coun- 
try for  (M)ttenl)ur<r.  Jiittlc  more  uas  expected,  honevcr,  from 
this,  than  to  make  apparent  the  sincerity  of  the  I'nitcd 
States  in  de.sirinir  |)eace ;  and  the  conduct  of  Great  Hritain 
soon  proved,  that  her  oidy  wish  was  to  keep  open  a  door  for 
negotiation.  Suhse(|nent  transactions  suniciently  proved,  that 
she  rejected  the  Russian  mediation  solely  with  the  view  of 
gainini;  lime. 

Notwithstanding  the  strength  of  the  oppo.'ilion  on  the  floor  of 
congress,  the  war  was  evidently  gaining  uronnd  in  the  estima- 
tion of  the  people.  The  conduct  of  the  enemy  in  the  prose- 
cution of  hostilities  had  been  such  as  to  awaken  t!ie  patriotism 
of  every  American  ;  and  his  rej(;ction  of  the  Rn«sian  media- 
tion surpriseil  many  who  had  conlidently  predicted  a  prompt 
acceptance  of  it.  TIk!  victories,  which  we  had  obtained  at  sea, 
came  home  to  tlu;  fceliiius  of  the  whole  nation;  and  were  [)arti- 
cularly  acceplal)le  to  the  oj)p<»siii(tn,  who  claimed  the  exclusive 
merit  of  them,  as  having  always  been  the  best  friends  of  the 
navy.  (Jreal  Hrilain  actually  complained,  that  those  wliom 
she  had  considered  her  friends  in  America  rejoiced  in  lier 
naval  defeats;  and  accusetl  ihcm  of  faithlessness  and  incon- 
stancy, because  they  permilied  their  love  of  country  to  over- 
come  their  hatred  for  the  men  in  power.  'I'he  sentiment,  that 
it  becomes  every  virtuous  nuui  to  rejoice  in  the  good  fortune 
of  his  country,  however  he  may  dislike  the  rulers  for  the  lime 
being,  was  gradually  gaining  uround.  'J'lie  warlike  aspect  of 
every  thinir  around  them,  interested  the  anient  minds  of  the 
young  and  enlcrprizing ;  the  feats  of  arms  daily  recounted, 
awakened  a  desire  for  distinction  ;  and  the  contairion  of  military 
pursuits,  whether  it  was  to  be  desired  or  regretted,  betran  to 
spread  rapidly.  'I'he  habits  of  a  peoj)le,  who  had  been  thirty 
years  at  f)eace,  and  constantly  occupied  in  industrious  callings, 
could  not  be  changed  suddenly  :  but  men  are  by  nature  warlike, 
and  they  cannot  exist  long  in  the  midst  of  martial  scenes  and 
preparations,  without  catching  their  spirit.  It  was  no  hazardous 
prediction,  that  the  eneniy  of  a  party,  would  soon  be  considered 
as  the  enemy  of  the  whole  country. 


Aj 


180 


BRACKEMilDGE'S 


War  with  the  Creek  liidliuis Miuii*arrc  hy  llu*  Cn-ikH  at  Fort  MiinK. 


niAPTF.R  XIV. 


W.iruiili  ihn  f'rcrk  Imlinns— Miis-sacrc  liy  thn  frrrks  nt  Fort  Miin<«— F.Tpfiliiinii 
•iiuliT  )'■  iii;r:iN.liii  ksnii  ninl  CiH-kf  :ii;:iinst  'rallu>li.'ilrli(-s— Itattk  of  'l'allail<  l'h — (Jt  ti 

•  ra]  C'oi'k)'  <iii|iii>i'<  I  III!  I  ml  ill  IIS  nil  till'  Tallai -^.i  Kacr — lit  ncral  I'lo)  d':'  i:.\|i('ilitii>n 

acaiiist  III!'  Aiitiissiii'  Tiiwiis — ('lailioriic's  K\|i('ilitli>ii  anaiiiHt  the  Tnwns  nf  Kiraiia- 
cliaca — <;riirial  Jarksiiii  iiiaii  li('<  to  thf  rrllrf  of  Tnrt  Ariii<triiiii.'— Ili<  Criliial  tSiliia 
tinii,  aiiil  Itrtnat  —  llrlrats  an    Imliaii   .\iiiliii>i'ailr — linli^iiis  altark  lirmral   I'lnxilat 
< 'amp  l>i  liaiii'c,  anil  aro  ri'inilsi'd — Ccmral  Jackson  (laiiis  llic  saiiu'iiiiiary  \  iitory  of 
llnisr  Siiiic  llrmi — 'rcriiiiiiati's  tlir  Cn  rk  War  ami  dirlalrs  I'l  act'  on  r^cvcri'  Ti  riiis. 


Oi^n  alVnirs  to  tlie  soiitli  liad  assumed  a  serious  aspect ;  and 
wlien  the  iiorllieni  armies  liad  retired  into  winter  (juarters,  the 
pul)lie  atteiilioii  was  Iccpt  alive,  by  the  iiiteresliiiir  cveiUs  whieli 
transpired  in  the  coiinlrv  of  the  ('recks.  That  ili-l'alcHl  people, 
under  IJritisli  iiiliuciu'c,  hail  at  Icnolh  declared  optMi  war. 

Ill  eonseipienec  of  the  threateniii<r  appearances  to  the  south, 
and  tlu!  ho.stililies  which  already  prevailed  among  tlie  Iiwhans 
inliahiiino;  what  was  then  the  Spanish  territory,  ""overnor  Mif- 
ehel  of  (ieoi  ^ia  was  required  by  the  secretary  of  war  to  de- 
tach a  hri!j;ade  <o  the  Oemulgee  river,  for  the  purpose  of  cover- 
ing the  frontier  settlements  of  tliat  state.  (Jovernor  Ilohnes,  of 
the  Mississi|)pi  ti-rritory,  was  at  the  same  time  ordered  to  call 
out  a  body  of  militia,  wliich  were  to  join  the  vohmteers  under 
Cieneral  L'laibonu!  then  stationed  on  the  Mobile.  In  the  course 
of  tlie  summer  of  181.3,  the  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  that  river 
became  so  much  alarmed  at  the  hostile  deportment  of  the 
Creeks,  that  the  greater  part  of  them  had  abandoned  their  jdan- 
tations,  and  sougiit  rel'uge  in  the  nearest  ibrtresses.  Those 
among  the  (^reeks  who  were  well  disposed  to  the  United  States, 
being  nuich  the  weaker  party,  had  also,  in  some  places,  shut 
themselves  up  in  forts,  where  they  were  already  besieged  by 
their  countrymen. 

The  commencement  of  hostilities  was  signalized  by  one  of  the 
most  shocking  massacres  that  can  be  found  in  the  history  of  our 
Indian  wars.  The  settlers,  under  an  imperfect  idea  of  their 
danger,  had  thrown  themselves  into  small  forts  or  stations,  at 
great  distances  from  each  other,  on  the  various  branches  of  the 


lIlSTOin    OF  THE  AVAR. 


181 


MnHtmrtc  \iV  llir  ('rrrks  fit  Knri   Mmis. 


Mohilo.  lOnrly  in  Aiijiust  it  was  nfccrtninod,  that  the  Iiuliuns 
inU'iulcd  to  make  an  attack  vipoii  all  tln's(!  stations,  ami  destroy 
them  in  diMail.  The  first  place  uliich  they  determined  to  at- 
tempt, was  Fort  Mims,  in  which  tiie  ijreatest  minil)cr  of  fami- 
lies had  heen  collci'icd.  Toward  the  close  (»f  AiiL'^iist,  inform- 
atitm  was  hro\i^Jit  that  the  Indians  were  :.ltont  to  assail  this 
post ;  and  in  the  lirst  moments  of  the  alarm  cMiis(!d  hy  this  news, 
the  occtipants  ntade  some  preparations  for  delenee.  It  seems, 
however,  that  it  was  almost  imiinssililc  In  awake  them  to  a  sense 
of  the  i-roxiniity  of  their  danL^er.  The  lori  was  commanded 
hy  major  Heasley,  of  the  .Mis>issippi  territory,  a  l»rave  olliccr 
and  as  a  privatt;  eiti/en  hitjhly  re>|iccted,  and  •.'"arrisoned  hy 
ahont  one  hundred  vohinter>rs.  j»v  some  fatality,  not  withstand- 
inir  the  warninifs  he  had  recei\c(l,  the  eominander  was  not  siif- 
ficiently  on  his  irnard,  ami  snii'eri'd  him.-eif  to  he  snrprisj'd  at 
noon-day  of  the  Hdtii,  entirely  iinpn  pared.  Scarcely  had  the 
sentinel  lime  to  t^nve  notice?  of  the  i.pproach  of  the  Indians,  ere 
they  rushed,  with  a  dreadful  yell,  throiiL'ii  the  L^ate,  which  was 
wide  open.  The  tiarrison  w.is  iiistanily  under  arms,  and  the 
major  llew  towards  the  gate,  with  some  of  his  men,  in  order  to 
close  it,  and  if  possihie  expel  the  •■ncmy  ;  Iiut  he  socm  after  fell 
mortally  wounded.  Alter  <jreat  shninhter  on  hoth  side.>,  the  jrat« 
was  at  leiiLTth  closed;  hut  a  nundjcr  of  the  Indians  had  taixcn 
possession  of  a  hlock-honse,  from  which  they  were  not  expelled, 
until  after  a  hloody  contest.  The  assault  was  continued  for  an 
hour,  on  the  outside  of  the  piidvcts;  and  the  portholes  were 
several  limes  carried  hy  tiie  assailants,  and  as  often  retaken  hy 
those  within  the  fort. 

The  Indians  now  for  a  montent  withdrew,  apparently  dis- 
heartened hy  their  loss;  hut  on  heii*^:  haraiiLined  l)y  their  chief, 
\Veatlier!ord,  they  returned  w  ith  auiiinenied  fury  to  the  assaidt. 
IlaviuiT  procured  axc^s,  they  cut  down  tin?  gale  and  made  a 
I)reach  in  the  j)ickets;  and,  possessinjj  themselves  of  tin.'  area 
of  the  furl,  compelled  the  he.sie<;«'d  tn  take  refuge  in  the  houses. 
Here  a  "jailanl  resistance  was  made  hy  the  inmates,  until  the 
Indians  set  lire  to  the  rmjfs;  when  the  situation  of  these  uidor- 
Uinale  people  hecame  altogether  hopeless.  It  is  only  hy  those 
who  have  some  faint  kJea  of  the  nature  ol'  Indian  warfare,  that 
the  horror  of  their  situation  can  he  conccMved.  The  agonizing 
shrieks  of  the  unfortunate  vanien  and  chddren  at  their  uidiipjiy 
fate,  miuhl  lunc  awakenetl  pity  in  the  h'-easts  of  any  hut  Indi- 
ans. ISot  an  individual  was  sprired  hx  tl:ese  monsters  :  from  the 
most  aged  person  to  the  youngest  infant,  all  hecame  the  victims 
of  their  inih'^criminale  hundiery  ;  exce|>iing  oidy  those  who 
threw  themselves  into  the  flames,  to  a\v)id  a  worse  fate!   and  a 


:  % 


!     s 


182 


lUJACKMNumcjrrs 


K.<i|M>ilitinn  iiKninit  TalliiHtmlrlifg naltir  nrTnllii<l<'cn. 

few  who  cscnprd  l»y  l(!;ij)iinj  (tvcr  ihc  pickets.      Alxmt  twoliim- 


ilred  :»n(l  sixly  persons,  ol  iil!  nifcs  :iii(l  scx«vs,  iliiis  |)erislM'(l,  in- 
cliuliiiir  sonic  IiicimIIv  IimIimiis  and  alioiit  one  loindred  nc^i°«)e«. 
'J'he  p.inii'  which  this  dreaillul  nla^isacrc  excited  at  the  other 
posts  can  s<'arccly  he  (h'.scrihed  :  the  wretched  inhahiiaiits, 
Icarin^r  a  siniihr  r;itc,  ahiindoned  their  retrc:ils  of  tancicd  secu- 
rity in  the  niKhlU-  ol  the  iii;;lit,  and,  in  their  einh'ivonrs  toe^^ca^ 


)e 


to  M 


ohile,  enconii 


tered 


t:very  species  o 


r  still 


eriii<f. 


The  dwell- 


iiijfs  ol'  the  settlers  were  hiirni,  and  their  cattle  destrtiyed. 

i)i\  the  receipt  of  this  dis;islrons  intellif>ence,  the  'rennessec 
niililia,  iiiider  the  orch'rs  oT  general  .lacUson  and  gcMicral  (>ocke, 
iniinediaiely  jnarclied  to  the  country  ol'  the  ("reeks.  On  the 
2d  of  NoviMiiher,  ireiieral  ColVee  was  (U'tached,  with  nine  hun- 
dred men,  against  'ralhisliatclii  s,  a  ( 'reek  town,  and  reached  the 
place  aliout  ilaNliulit  on  the  iid.  'I'he  Indians,  aware  ol'  his 
approach,  were  prepared  to  receive  him.  Within  a  short  dis- 
laiu'c!  ol'  the  village  (hey  changed  upon  him  with  unexampled 
holdness  ;  and  althoui^h  repulsed,  madt!  a  most  ohstinate  resist- 
ance. They  refused  to  riceive  (iiiarler,  and  were  stain  almost 
to  a  man.  M early  two  hundred  ol  their  warriors  wi-rc  killed 
ill  this  all'air.  'I'he  woiiuui  and  children  were  taken  prisoners. 
'I'he  loss  ol' the  Americans  was  live  killed  and  forty  wounded. 

Late  in  the  luoriunti;  of  the  7th,  an  j'xpress  !»rou^f|it  iiitcMi- 
gcnee  to  ^^eneral  .lacUson,  that,  ai)oul  thirty  miles  hchtw  his 
camp,  at  a  place  called  I'ort  Talladeira,  a  t onsiderahli-  nuniher 
of  hostile  ('reeks  wcr<'  enua^fed  in  hesicirinir  some'  fiiendl\ 
Indians,  who  must  inevitahly  perish  unless  sjieedily  relieved. 
This  ollicer,  w  hose  rcsohUKUis  were  execuied  as  rapidiv  as 
lliey  were  lorni'il,  marched  at  twelve  o'clock  the  saiui'  niiilit, 
at  the  head  ol  twelve  hundred  men,  and  arrived  within  six 
miles  of  the  place;  the  next  evenini(.  At  midiiiulit  he  a<iaiii 
advanced,  aiul  hy  se\eii  o'clock  of  the  loll(»\\  iii<j  nioniint'  was 
within  a  mile  ol  the  enemy.  lie  now  made  the  most  judicious 
anani^enunls  for  surroundinir  them  ;  and  a|)proached,  u  iihiii 
eijrhty  y:'rds,  alinnsi  uiiperc(dv<'(l.  'I'he  haitle  coiutueiiced  (u\ 
the  part  of  tin;  Imlians  with  ure-at  fur).  Heiiiu  rejiul.»ed  on  all 
sides,  the}'  alti'iiipled  to  make  their  escape,  hut  found  themselves 
enclosed  ;  and  had  not  two  companies  of  milttia  ^i\fn  way, 
wherehy  a  s-pace  was  left  ojxmi   through  which  a  cmisiilerahle 


number  of  the  enemy  escajKHl 
have  1 


to  ll 


le  mountains,  they  would  all 


lave  been  taken  prisoners  <m'  ilestrovcd 


In  ll 


ic  pursuit  many 


were  sabred  or  shot  dow  n.  In  this  action  the  American  loss 
was  lifleen  killed,  and  eijrhty  wounded.  Thai  of  the  t'reeks 
was  little  short  of  three  hundreil  killed,  their  whole  force  cxcced- 
in<r  a  thousand. 


Al 
hut 
the 


\i 


ta. 

\V(»  Imti- 
hed,  ill. 

he  oilier 
il)il;iiits, 
(•(I  sccii- 
()  r^capf 
t!  ilwi'll- 
Kd. 

•luicfisrc 
ICocke, 
On  ihi 
iiic   linii- 
(ciH'd  the 
('  1)1'  liis 
liori   ills- 
'\:iiii|)k'(l 
tc  rc.-isl- 
ti  :iliiiost 
M'e  kilU'tl 
iiist)iit.'is. 
oiiiidnl. 
hi  llilflll- 
)t'l(»\V   lli^ 

•  miinWer 
liicmlly 

rclit'vcil. 
ipitlly  as 
Mf   iiiiihi, 

iiliin  six 

he  :i;j;:iiM 
iiiiij^    was 

jiKlicioiis 
il,    within 

ICIICCvl   tui 

'-('li  oil  all 
iciiisclvos 
veil  \vay» 
isiilcrahlc 
woviU!  all 
suit  tiiaiiy 
licaii  loss 
ic  Creeks 
■e  excced- 


lllsroUV  OF  THK  WAR. 


183 


Iinliiiti'i  <l('r<'Utr(i  uli  the  'l'iill;i|Hiii!tii,  at  Aiiloswri-,  iiml  a(  Kiriiliin  Intnl. 


nenrral  ('Orke,  who  rommaiidcd  the  oiluT  division  of  the 
'reiiiicsseo  militia,  deiacjii-tl  (r^'neral  While,  on  ilie  llih,  from 
Fori  Aniisiroiijr,  uherc  lie  was  eiH'nmped,  auaiiist  the  hostile 
towns  on  the  Tallapoosa  river.  Alnr  iiiarchiiitr  iho  whole 
nii^Mil  of  the  17th,  Ik   siirpri.-^ed  a  town   at  d.i\liL'hi,  coiitaiiiiiif; 


il|)war(ls   o|    three   luiiidred  warriors,  sixiy  ol    wlioiii    he 


klHed 


and  the  rest  io<ik  prisoners.  Ilavinir  hiirnt  weveral  \illa;rr8 
whiicli  had  heeii  deserted  hy  the  Indians,  he  rcliirned  on  the 
'i',i{\.  \s  itiioiit  lo>iii^'  a  siiiiih'  man. 

The  (ieoiiiia  niiiiiia,  under  general  i'loyd,  advanced  into  the 
Creek  eonntry,  ahoiit  the  last  of  .Noveinher.  Keeeivin^r  infor- 
mation that  a  eoiisiderahle  liody  ol'  Indians  were  eolleeied  at 
the  Aiilossee  towns,  ol'  which  there  wen;  two,  on  llie  Talla- 
poosa river,  a  place  which  thf-y  called  iheir  heloved  ifronnd, 
and  where,  accoi'din<r  to  their  jtrophets,  no  while  man  eoiild 
molest  them,  general  Floyd  placed  hiiiisi'll  at  the  head  of  iiinu 
hundred  militia  and  hnir  hundred  friendly  Creeks,  and  march- 
ed from  li!>  encainpmcnt  on  the  ( 'haiiahoiichee.  ( >n  the  eve- 
niiij;  of  the  '^Hih,  he  enc  imped  within  ten  miles  of  the  place, 
and  resiiniintr  hjs  march  at  one  o'ehx  k  of  ilic  next  inorniiifr, 
roaeh(>(l  the  towns  ahoul  six  and  coinmeiiced  an  attack  upon 
holli  at  the  same  mnment.  His  troojis  were  met  hy  llu'  Indians 
>villi  uncommon  hraxery  ;  and  il  w  a>  only  .'.lier  a  most  t)hstinate 
resistance,  that  they  wen;  lorced,  hy  his  mii>kelry  and  hayo- 
iicts,  to  llv  into  the  thickets  and  copses  in  the  rear  of  the  towns. 
In  till!  course  of  three  hours  fnnn  the  comiiiciiceinent  of  the 
cnjrajfcmeiit,  the  enemy  were  completely  delealed,  and  their  vil- 
lages wrapt  ill  dailies.  The  tidops  Inuiiiij  almo>l  exhausted 
iheir  whole  stock  of  piovisions,  and  heiiiu  sixty  miles  from  any 
dejiot  and  in  the  heart  of  a  country  filled  with  hosts  of  Intslile 
savajres,  now  returned  to  their  encampment  on  the  Cliatt  iliou- 
chee.  In  this  hattle  eleven  Aniei  icaits  were  kilh d  and  (ifty 
wounded;  amonir  the  latter  ihi' L'cneral  himself:  ol  the  enemy, 
il  is  supposed  that,  hesides  ihi'  Anlossee  and  'J'allassee  kings, 
Uj)War(U  of  two  hundred  wch'  killed. 

In  tli(!  month  of  Decemher,  geneial  (.'laihorne  conducted  a 
delaclimeiit,  from  Fori  Claihome,  ..n  the  e.trst  side  of  the  Ala- 
hania  ri\iT,  ajjaiiist  the  towns  of  jlccanachaca,  on  ih<!  Alahama 
river  ahove  the  mouth  of  the  Cahavvha.  On  ihe  vi'id,  he  eame 
suddeiil\-  upon  them,  killed  thirty  of  their  warriors,  and  after 
destroying  their  \illages,  reiurnrd.  Tiie  loss  to  the  Ameri- 
cans was,  one  killed  and  seven  wounded. 

After  the  hattle  of  Talladega,  general  .laidison  was  left  with 
hut  a  handful  of  men,  in  consei|ueiic(!  of  the  term  of  service  ol 
the  militia  having  expired.     On  the  1  iih  of  January  1814  he 


f 


>  }    i 
1*  "' 


i 


^i'^U 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  'ARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1^ 


2.0 


1.8 


1.25 

1.4 

1.6 

-m 6"     — 

► 

% 


<p^ 


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y 


/^ 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14SS0 

(716)  872-4503 


-I 


/A 


// 


fA 


d 


fr 


:\ 


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o^ 


% 


n;'^ 


184 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


(ienerni  Jackson  iiiarclii^s  to  the  Relief  of  I'ort  Arinstron2 Relrents 


was  fortunately  reiiiforcoil  by  eij^ht  hundred  volunteers  iVoni 
Tennessee,  and  soon  after  by  several  hundred  I'riendly  In- 
dians. He  was  also  joined  by  general  (/oHee  with  a  number 
of  olficers,  his  militia  having  returned  home.  On  tlui  17th, 
with  the  view  of  makin<f  a  diversion  in  favour  of  general  Floyd, 
and  at  the  same  time  of  relieving  Fort  Armstrong,  which  was 
said  to  be  threatened,  he  entered  the  Indian  country,  with  the 
determination  of  |)enetraling  still  farther  than  liad  yet  been  at- 
temj)t(;d.  On  the  evcming  of  the  21st,  believino-  himself,  from 
appcaranres,  in  the  vicinity  of  a  large  body  ol  liitlians,  he  en- 
camped with  great  precaution  and  kept  himself  in  the  altitude 
of  del'ence.  JJuring  the  night,  one  of  his  spies  brought  infor- 
mation that  he  had  seen  the  enemy  a  few  miles  oil',  antl  that  as 
they  were  busily  eiigngcul  in  sending  away  their  women  and 
chiklren,  it  was  evident  they  had  discovered  the  Ariiericans, 
and  Vv'ould  either  escape  or  make  an  attack  beibre  morning. 
While  the  troops  were  in  this  state  of  readiness,  they  were 
vigorously  assailed  on  their  left  (laidv  about  daylight,  'J'he 
enemy  were  r(!sisted  with  firmness,  and  alter  a  severe  contest, 
iled  in  every  direction.  General  (Jotlee  having  been  detached 
"witli  four  hundred  men,  to  destroy  the  enemy's  camp,  with 
directions  not  to  attack  it  if  strongly  Ibrtilied,  returned  with 
information  tiial  it  would  not  be  prudent  to  attempt  it  williout 
artillery.  The  attack  already  made  was  soon  discovered  to  be 
a  feint;  and  half  an  hour  had  scarcely  elapsed,  when  the  enemy 
commenceil  a  second  lierce  attack  on  Jackson's  left  llank.  It 
seems  they  had  intended,  by  the  iirst  onset,  to  draw  the 
Americans  into  a  pursuit,  and  by  that  means  produce  confu- 
sion ;  a  result  which  was  completely  prevented  liy  Jackson's 
causing  his  left  flank  to  keep  its  position.  General  Collee, 
with  al)out  flit}-  of  his  ofhcers,  acting  as  volunteers  now  assailed 
the  Indians  on  tlu;  left,  and  two  bun  !ii  d  iViendly  Indians  came 
upon  them  on  the  right  ;  while  the  whole  line  in  front,  after 
discharging  their  first  fire,  resolutely  charged,  and  forced  the 
enemy  to  (ly  with  precipitation.  On  the  left  flank  of  the  Indians 
the  contest  was  kept  up  some  time  longer.  As  soon  as  possi- 
ble, a  reinforcement  of  friendly  Indians  was  sent  to  general 
Coflee,  with  whose  aid  he  sjjcedily  compelled  the  enemy  to 
retire,  leaving  filly  of  their  warriors  on  the  grouiul.  In  this 
action  general  Coffee  was  severely  wounded,  and  his  aid,  A. 
Donaldson,  killed. 

Being  apprehensive  of  another  attack.  General  Jackson  for- 
tified his  camp  lor  the  night.  The  next  day,  fearing  a  want  of 
provisions,  he  found  it  necessary  to  retreat,  and  before  night 
reached  Enotachopco  creek,  having  passed  a  dangerous  delile 


ilieii 

enija 

live 

was 

M 

Indi 

of  J; 

of  li 

senli 

osiiy 

ral. 

firmi 

poin 

stren 

rear, 

be  for 

man' 


"^-■^ 


t( 


tri'Hts 

rs  t'roiu 

uUy  In- 

miinber 

17lh, 

1  Floyd, 

icli  was 

villi  the 

been  at- 

Ai,  from 

?,  he  cn- 

attitude 

It  iiifor- 

(1  that  as 

nen  and 

lericans, 

miorning. 

ley  wc.'i'c 

it.     'J'he 

!  contest, 

detached 

inj),  with 

icd    willi 

t  without 

3 red  to  be 

10  enemy 

ilank.     It 

iraw    the 

:e   confu- 

Jat'kson's 

I  Collee, 

w  assailed 

ians  came 

I'ont,  after 

orced  the 

le  Indians 

1  as  possi- 

o  general 

enemy  to 

In  this 

is  aid,  A. 

ckson  for- 
a  want  of 
fore  night 
:ous  delile 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


185 


Ueft'uts  an  Indinn  Ambus^cnde. 


, ,  .Ilidiiiiis  ri'pulscd  ;il  Ciiiiiii  Dtliiinci' 


without  interruption.  In  the  morning  he  liad  occasion  to  cross 
a  seconii  deiih;,  wlicre  lie  had  good  reason  to  A^ar  an  ambus- 
cade of  the  enemy.  Having  made  the  most  judicious  arrange- 
ments for  the  disj)osition  of  iiis  l\tree  in  ease  of  attack,  he  moved 
forward  towards  the  pass.  The  advanced  guard,  with  part  of 
the  flank  columns  and  the  woimded,  jiad  scarcely  crossed  the 
creek  just  named,  when  the  alarm  was  given  in  the  i(';ir.  Jackson 
immediately  gave  orders  for  liis  right  and  left  t'olumns  to  wheel 
on  their  pivots,  and  crossing  the  stream  above  and  below,  to 
assail  the  Hanks  and  rear  of  the  enemy,  and  thus  completely 
enclose  them.  When,  however,  the  woril  was  given  for  these 
columns  to  form,  and  a  few  guns  were  lired,  they  precipitately 
gave  way.  Tiiis  llight  had  widl  niiih  proved  I'atal  :  for  it  drew 
along  with  it  the  greater  part  of  the  centre  column,  leaving  not 
more  than  twenty-live  men  to  maintain  the  ground  against  over- 
whelming numbers.  All  that  could  now  lie  opposed  to  the 
enemy,  were  the  few  who  remained  of  the  rear  guaid,  the  .irtil- 
iery  company,  and  captain  Hussers  company  ot  spies.  Tiieir 
conduct  however  was  admirable.  Lieutenant  Armstrong,  with 
the  utmost  coolness  and  intrepidity,  and  aiilcd  by  a  few  more, 
dragged  a  six-pounder  to  the  lop  of  a  hdl,  allhouL'h  exposed  to 
a  heavy  fire  ;  and  having  gained  his  j)osilion,  loaded  tlu!  piece 
with  grape,  and  lired  it  with  such  ellect,  that  i\i\c.i-  a  f«!w  dis- 
charges, the  enemy  w(;re  repulsed.  They  were  pursued  for 
several  miles  by  colonel  ('arrol,  colonel  IIiL''i;ins,  anil  cap- 
fains  Elliot  and  Pipkins.  Capt.iin  Clordon,  of  the  spies,  had 
partly  succeeded  in  turning  their  ilank,  and  thus  conlributed 
greatly  to  restore  the  daw  'I'he  Americans  now  continued 
their  retreat  without  I'uriher  m'>lestation.  In  these  diH'erent 
eniiagemcnts,  about  twenty  Americans  were  killed  and  seventy- 
iive  wounded  ;  the  loss  of  the  enemy  in  the  last  engagement 
was  about  one  hundred  and  eighty  slain. 

Meanwhile  general  Floyd  was  again  advancing  towards  the 
Indian  territory,  from  the  ('hattahouchee  river.  On  the  27th, 
of  January,  at  Camp  Defiance,  he  was  attacked  by  a  large  body 
of  Indians,  a!)out  an  hour  before  day.  They  stole  upon  the 
sentinels,  and  after  firing  on  them,  rushed  with  great  impetu- 
osity towards  the  main  body.  The  action  soon  became  gene- 
ral. The  front  of  both  flanks  was  closely  pressed,  but  the 
firmness  of  the  oflicers  and  men  repelled  the  assaults  at  every 
point.  As  soon  as  it  became  snfhciently  light,  general  Floyd 
strengthened  his  right  wing  and  formed  his  cavalry  in  the 
rear,  and  then  directed  a  charge.  The  enemy  gave  way 
before  the  bayonet,  and  being  pursued  by  the  cavalry,  were 
many  of  them  killed.     The  loss  of  general  Floyd  was  seven- 


:>f 


I  fj 


r 


180 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


!i 


I  t 


(;fn(i;il  .lacksdii  {.'aiiis  iho  sanjiniiiiiry  \ict(iry  of  Uorsc-Slioc-HciKl. 

teen  killed  ixiui  one  liuiuhcd  ami  thirty-two  woiintled.  That 
of  the  Indians  conld  not  he  aseertained  ;  althonirh  it  must  liave 
been  very  considerable:  thirty-seven  ol' their  warriors  were  left 
dead  on  the  held. 

IJy  this  time,  it  inii,dit  he  supposed  that  the  Creeks  had  heen 
satisfied  with  the  exjierimcnt  of  war;  hut  they  appear  to  have 
been  infatuated  to  a  most  extraordinary  dejrree.  Under  the 
influence  of  their  ])rophets,  they  were  led  on  from  one  ruinous 
eflfort  to  anot!i(!r,  in  hojios  that  the  time  would  at  last  arrive 
when  their  enemies  would  be  delivered  into  their  hands. 

General  Jackson  having  received  considerable  reinforcements 
from  'J'cnnessee,  and  bein<r  joined  by  a  number  of  friendly 
Indians,  set  out  on  an  expedition  to  the  Tallapoosa  river.  He 
proceeded  from  the  Coosa  on  tiie  2  1th  of  Marcli,  and  reached 
the  southern  extremity  of  the  ^v.w  Youca  on  the  27th,  at  a 
place  called  the  Horse-Shoe-Heiid  of  the  'i'allapoosa.  JNaturc 
furnishes  few  situations  so  eliiiible  for  delence,  and  here  the 
Creeks,  by  the  direction  of  their  prophets,  had  made  their  last 
stand.  Across  the  neck  of  the  j)eninsula  formed  by  the  curva- 
ture of  the  river  they  had  erected  a  breast-work  of  the  jrreatest 
compac'ness  and  strength,  from  live  to  eight  feet  high,  and 
provided  with  adoul)le  row  of  i)()rtholes,  artlully  arrangi;d.  In 
this  place  they  consid-Tcd  themselves  perfectly  secure  ;  as  the 
assailants  could  not  approach  without  being  exposed  to  a  dou- 
ble and  cross  lire  from  those  who  lay  behinti  the  breast-works. 
The  area  thus  enclosed  was  liiile  short  of  one  hundred  acres. 
The  warriors  from  the  Oakluf-kee,  Oakshaya,  and  Ilillabee 
towns,  the  Fish  Ponds,  and  the  Mupaula  towns,  were  here  col- 
lected, in  number  exceeding  a  thousand. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  t!ie  27ih,  general  Jackson,  having 
encamped  the  j)rece(iing  night  within  six  miles  of  the  Bend, 
detached  general  ('oliee,  with  the  mounteil  men  and  nearly  the 
whole  of  the  friendly  Indian  force,  to  pass  the  river  at  a  ford 
about  three  miles  below  the  Creek  encampment,  and  instructed 
him  to  surround  the  Bend  in  such  a  manner,  that  none  of  the 
savages  should  elfect  their  escape  by  crossing  the  river.  With 
the  remainder  of  his  force,  he  advanced  to  the  point  of  land  which 
led  to  the  front  of  the  breast-work;  and  at  half  past  ten,  planted 
his  artillery  on  a  sma'l  eminence  within  eighty  yards  of  the 
nearest,  and  two  hundred  and  lifty  of  the  farthest  point  of  the 
works.  A  brisk  camionade  was  opened  upon  the  centre  ;  and  a 
severe  fire  directed  with  musketry  and  rifles,  whenever  the 
Indians  ventured  to  show  themselves  above  or  outside  of  their 
defences.  In  the  meantime,  general  Cofi'ee,  having  crossed 
below,  had  advanced  towards  the  village.     When  within  half  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


187 


11(1. 

That 
I  list  liave 
were  left 

Imd  been 
r  to  have 
ikUm'  tlie 
^  ruinous 
1st  arrive 
(Is. 

rcnments 

I'rienclly 

ver.     He 

(1  reached 

27th,  at  a 

iN  aturc 

here  the 

their  last 

die  curva- 

\v.  jireatest 

high,  and 

ngc;d.     In 

re  ;  as  tlie 

1  to  a  dou- 

ast- works. 

h'ed  acres. 

1   Ilillabee 

D  here  col- 

ou,  having 
the  Bend, 
nearly  the 
:  at  a  lord 
instructed 
one  of  the 
er.  With 
and  which 
sn,  planted 
rds  of  the 
:>int  of  the 
lire ;  and  a 
snever  the 
\e  of  their 
^g  crossed 
thin  half  a 


Victory  «>f  llorse-Sliot'  lli ml. 


mile  of  that  part  which  stocd  at  die  extremity  of  the  peninsula, 
the  Iiuhans  uttered  their  yell.  (.'((H'ee,  expecting  an  iiniuediatc 
attack,  drew  uj)  his  men  in  order  of  l)atth',  and  in  this  manner 
continued  to  move  forward.  The  IViendly  Indians  had  previ- 
ously taken  possession  ol"  the  iv.uik  of  ih(!  river,  fur  ihc;  purpose 
of  preventing  tlie  retreat  of  the  enemy:  hut  t!iey  no  sooner 
Jieard  the  artillery  of  .laekson,  and  saw  tlie  appro. leh  of  Collec, 
than  they  rushed  to  the  bank,  while  ("otlee's  nidiiia,  in  conse- 
quence, were  obliged  to  remain  in  order  of  battle.  The  former 
were  unable  to  remain  silent  spectatt)rs  :  sonu)  began  to  fire 
across  the  stream,  about  one  huiulred  yards  wide,  while  others 
plunged  into  the  river,  and  swinuninL''  across,  broiiirht  back  a 
number  of  canoes.  In  these  the  greater  ])art  embarked,  and 
landing  on  the  })eninsula,  advanced  into  the  villanc,  ch'ove  the 
enemy  from  their  huts  up  to  t!ie  foiiilications,  and  continued 
to  annoy  them  during  tlie  whole  aciion.  'i'his  movement  of 
the  Indians  rendered  it  necessary  that  a  part  of  Coliee's  line 
should  take  their  place. 

General  .Tackson  finding  that  his  arrangements  wore  com- 
plete, yielded  at  length  to  tlio  earnest  sdlicitations  of  liis  men 
to  be  led  to  the  charire.  The  reguhu'  troops,  led  by  colonel 
Williams  and  major  .Vionlgomery,  were  in  a  moment  in  pos- 
session of  the  nearest  part  of  the  breast-works:  the  militia 
accompanied  them  with  equal  lirmness  and  intrejjidily.  Hav- 
ing maintained  for  a  few  minutes  a  verv  obstinate;  contest, 
muzzle  to  muzzle,  through  th(;  portholes,  "in  which  many 
of  the  enemy's  balls  ^.ere  welded  to  the  American  bayonets,"*^ 
they  succeeded  in  raining  the  opposite  side  "''  the  works. 
'J'he  event  could  no  lotnier  bedouh'ful;  the  enemy,  although 
many  of  them  fought  with  that  kind  of  bravery  whi<di  despera- 
tion inspires,  were  routed  and  cut  to  pieces.  The  whole 
margin  of  the  river  which  surrounded  the  peninsula  was 
strewed  with  the  slain.  Five  hundreil  and  iifty-seven  were 
found  dead,  besides  those  thrown  into  the  river  by  their  friends 
or  drowned  in  attempting  to  lly.  Not  more  than  lilly,  it  was 
supposed,  escaped.  Among  the  slain  were  the.r  great  prophet 
JNIanahoe,  and  two  other  prophets  of  less  note.  About  three 
liundred  women  and  children  were  taken  prisoners.  .Jackson's 
loss  was,  twenty-six  Americans  killed,  and  one  hundred 
and  seven  wounded;  eighteen  Cherokees  killed,  and  thirty- 
six  wounded;  and  five  friendly  Creeks  killed,  and  eleven 
wounded. 

This  most  decisive  victory  put  an  end  to  the  war  with  the 


*    General  Jackson's  own  words. 


\fi 


! 


—  ■*■  "qffT 


188 


DUACKEiNRlDGE'S 


Creek  War  Icrrniruitcd,  rmil  I'mci!  ilictatid  on  Srv(  re  'J'ci.'iis. 


Creeks  ;  and  broke  llie  spirit  and  power  of  these  niistruided  men 
completely.  The  victory  of 'ralluslialches,  won  by  Cod'ee;  of 
tlie  'I'allapoosa,  hy  Coeke  ;  tiie  two  victories  <d"f;encral  Floyd, 
on  the  (I'coriiia  side  ol' the  Indian  territory;  those  t)f 'J'alladega 
and  Enoiachoi)e()  won  by  Jackson  ;  and  the  fatal  battle  of  the 
Horse-8hoe-IJend,  foiij^dit  by  Ja(dvson  and  Coll'ee,  may  be  said 
to  have  "eut  up  the  war  i)y  the  roots." 

Jaekson  soon  after  scoured  the  country  on  tlie  Coosa  and 
Talhipoosa  rivers.  A  party  of  the  enen)y  on  the  latter  river, 
on  his  approach,  fled  to  lY-nsacola.  'I'he  larger  j)ortion  ol'  the 
Creeks,  and  among  them  their  most  able  and  sanguiiuiry  cliief 
Wcatherford,  now  came  forward  and  threw  themselves  on  the 
mercy  of  the  victors.  A  detachment  of  militia  from  North 
and  ^oulh  Carolina,  under  the  command  of  colonel  Pearson 
traversed  the  country  oji  the  Alabama,  and  received  the  submis- 
sion of  a  great  number  of  Creek  warriors  and  projjhets. 

In  the  course  of  the  sunnner  a  treaty  of  peace  was  dictated 
to  the  Creeks  by  general  .lackson,  on  severe  terms.  They 
agreed  to  yield  a  large  portion  of  their  country  as  an  indemnity 
for  the  expenses  of  the  war;  they  conceded  the  j)ri\ilege  of 
opening  roads  through  their  country,  together  with  the  liberty 
of  navigating  their  rivers;  th.ey  engaged  to  estai)lish  trading 
houses,  and  to  endeavour  to  bring  back  the  nation  to  its  former 
state;  they  also  stipidated  to  hold  no  intercourse  with  any 
British  or  Spanish  post  or  garrison,  and  to  deliver  up  the  pro- 
perty they  had  taken  from  the  whites  and  the  friendly  Indians. 
Tiie  general,  on  the  jiart  ol"  the  United  States,  undertook  to 
guaranty  their  remaining  territory  to  them,  to  restore  all  their 
prisoners,  and,  in  consideration  of  their  destitute  situation,  to 
furnish  tliem  gratuitously  with  the  necessaries  of  life  until  they 
could  provide  for  themselves. 

It  was  truly  lamentable  to  contemplate  the  ruin  of  tribes  which 
were  making  such  rapid  advances  to  civilization.  Their  villages 
were  entirely  destroyed  ;  and  their  herds,  which  had  become 
ntimerous,  were  killed  by  ihcmsejvcs  at  an  early  part  of  the 
contest. 


lod  men 
)ll'('e;  of 

Floyd, 
illadega 

of  the 
1)G  said 

IS  a  and 
T  river, 
I  oj'  the 
ry  chief 
on  the 
North 
Pearson 
submis- 


dictated 
They 

enmity 
ile<re  of 
3  liberty 

trading 
3  former 
ith  any 
the  pro- 
Indians, 
rtook  to 
all  their 
ilion,  to 
nil  they 

!s  which 

villages 

become 

of  the 


HISTORY   OF  THE  WAU. 


18U 


I'l;ins  (if  ( tpcrntioris  nuainst  <  'aiiiidii, , . 


..iMari'li  (il'dcncral  Itrown. 


CHAPTER  X\ 


riaiifJ  (ifi  )|)eratioii*i  airaiii^t  Caiiaila  piuposLd — (jiiicral  Itrnv.n  iiiar'lii  s  id  S'ackelt'.-* 
Ilarlxmr — (Jnirral  Wilkinsmi  retires  to  I'lattsbiiri: — Aliac  ks  tlir  linii-hat  I„i  Culle  iintl 
is  rcpiilscil — Siispi  iided  I'niiii  the  ('(iiiiiiiauil — JHscDiiraL'iiii.'  Kiliii  iilties  in  ilie  l-(  (Uioriiy 
of  the  Army — Siniiuuliiis.' — i'lisiiceessl'iil  Attack  |p\  the  liiitish  at  <  itler  Creek  —  Itritish 
Fleet  etiter.5  Lake  C'liamplaiii — Lake  <  (iiiarin— ( 'dritest  lor  Siiperiiirit>  there— <;allant 
Def'^nce  tifOsweiio — lirilish  laml  al  I'lllleiieyville — lijor  kade  of  Sai  kelt's  llarhmir — 
Enui.;.''^"'L'iit  at  Saiidj  Creek  and  Captiiri'  ol'  tlie  l!rili>h  there — Death  olColoiiel  I'or- 
sytbe — til' ("a|)taiii  Malloiix,  in  a  Skinnisii — Cidimel  ('arripliiirs  l!\pedrliiirr  against 
Dover,  Canada — Allairs  tn  tin'  Westward— Ctilnriel  Haiihei' takeir  I'n-nrrer— (iallant 
Dcfenci'  try  Captain  llnlrrrt's — Serimis  Crisis  in  iinr  Ali'airs— .Napojedrr  dvtrlhrown — 
Great  Britain  direifs  her  rnidivjih'd  I'.rn.'rL'ies  aL'ainsi  the  I  nited  States— .Northern  Sea 
Coast  iinaded  hy  Cdriiriidddre  Manly — Attack  on  Saxhrook  and  |!ro(k\\a\'s  I'erry — 
linL'aL'erirerit  in  Loiiiil-laiid  Sonrrd  —  Kava^'es  at  Warelrarrr  ainl  .  citrialc'—  Allaik  on 
Rootii  Hay  repilled — t  licrrpat  ion  orall  tire  Islairds  in  i'a<>ariraipiocld>  l!a>  li\  the  lirit- 
Ish — (Jiiliarrl  Delcruc  of  SlorrinL'ton — 'I'enilDry  east  of  the  I'eiidhsi-di  IJrvcr  ciailUcJ 
anil  occupied  liy  tlie  liritish — Deslrnction  of  the  l'ri;;ate  John  Adairr.s. 


After  the  failure  of  the  campaign  ao"ainst  the  British  pro- 
vinces, the  army  remained  in  winter  (iiiartcrs,  without  the 
occurrence  of  any  incident  of  much  import, nice,  uniil  tosvards 
the  latter  end  of  February  of  the  year  181  i.  (icneral  Wil- 
kinson had  submitted  several  plans  of  attack  on  the  dillerent 
British  posts  in  his  vicinity,  with  the  view  of  I'utting  oil'  the 
communication  between  Upper  and  Lower  Canada,  to  the 
department  of  war.  These,  however,  did  not  mtM'i  the  appro- 
bation of  the  secretary,  who  gave  orders  iliat  the  American 
force  should  be  withdrawn  from  its  present  position  :  that 
two  thousand  men  should  march  vnuler  ijencral  Brown  to 
Sackell's  Harbour,  with  a  suitable  proportion  of  iiidd  artillery 
and  battering  cannon  ;  and  tliat  the  resithie  shf)uld  fall  back  on 
Plattslnirg.  The  general-in-chief,  in  obedience  to  these  orders, 
destroyed  his  barracks  and  the  llolilla,  and  retired  to  the  place 
design:. ted.  The  British,  aj)prized  of  his  retreat,  detached 
a  large  force  under  colonel  t">cott,  of  the  One  hundred  and  third 
British  regiment,  against  French  Mdls,  who  destroyed  the 
public  stores  and  pillaged  the  property  of  private  citizens,  but, 
on  hearing  of  the  approach  of  an  American  force,  retreated  in 


vh:.- 


""I; 


.\  •  i 


J 


(jeritTiil  Wilkinson  rt-lirc;*  Ik  l'l;ittsl)iii>; Attiickr^  the  Uritish  nt  Lii  t'ullt . 

the  most  ])i(!rij)itiitt'  nianiicr.  His  whole  parly  sunVrcd  mucli 
from  a  sevcsrc  snow  storm,  hosi(h's  h)siii(r  upwards  of  two  liun- 
dred  men  hy  desertion,  who  surrendered  themselves  to  the  Ame- 
ricans. It  was  about  this  time,  that  loss  l)y  desertions  ht'came 
one  of  till'  serious  (lilliciihics  which  the  enemy  had  to  encounter. 
Tilt!  practice  of  pcrinilting  their  soldiery  to  plunder  in  almost 
every  instance,  may  perhaps  have  arisen  from  the  necessity  of 
some  siicji  indulgence  as  this,  in  ordiir  to  retain  them  in  their 
service. 

Towards  the  hitter  ei;d  of  .March,  ijeiieral  Wilkinson  deter- 
mined to  erect  a  i)attery  at  a  place  called  House's  J'oint,  where 
his  eiiiiineer  had  discovered  a  position  from  which  the  enemy's 
ileet,  then  laid  jip  al  Si  John's,  iniLdil  i)e  kept  in  check  and 
their  coiiKMuplated  movement  on  \,;:ke  (Jhamplain  impedod  or 
prevciiied.  'J'lu;  hre  dciiitr  up  of  the  ice  on  the  lake  al  an  ear- 
lier perioil  of  the  season  than  usual,  deleated  his  plan.  A  hody 
of  tlu>  enemy,  upwards  of  two  thousand  strou<i[,  on  discovering 
his  desiirn,  had  been  ccdlected  at  La  ('oile  mill,  three  miles 
below  Jioiisii's  I'oint,  for  the  purpose  of  opposiiiir  him.  With  a 
view  ol'(lislo(lLnn;r  this  party,  the  commander-in-chief,  at  the  head 
of  about  four  thousand  men,  crossed  the  Canada  line  on  the  30th 
of  iMan  h  Alter  dispersinir  several  of  the  enemy's  skirmishing 
parti'  ^  •■  reached  [ia  CoUe  Mill,  a  larire  fortilied  stone  house 
situai  '.  in  the  centre  of  an  open  piei.'e  of  irrouiul,  anil  de- 
fended lis  a  strong  corps  of  Uritish  regulars  under  the  command 
of  major  Hancock.  For  the  purpose  of  edectinir  a  breach,  an 
eighteen-pouiider  was  ordered  up  by  general  Wilkinson;  but 
owing  to  the  ntiMire  of  the  ground  over  whi(di  it  had  to  pass, 
the  transportation  was  found  impracticable,  and  a  twelve  and  a 
five-and-a-half  inch  howitzer  were  therefore  su!)stitiited.  These 
pieces,  under  the  direction  of  captain  MTIierson,  and  lieute- 
nants liarrabee  and  Shelihm,  were  posted  at  the  disUincc  of 
two  hundred  paces  from  the  hf)nse,  and  covered  by  the  second 
brigade:  with  part  of  colonel  Clarke's  command,  uiuler  general 
Smith,  on  the  rijiht ;  and  the  third  brigade,  uiuhu-  general  Hissel, 
on  the  left,  ('(donel  Miller  was  ortlered  to  t;ike  a  position 
with  the  'J'welfth  and  'i'iiirteenlh  reinments  which  would  enable 
him  to  cut  olfihe  enemy's  retreat;  while  the  reserve,  composed 
of  a  select  corps  of  the  tirst  brigade,  was  placed  uiuler  the 
commaiul  of  general  Mai^omb.  These  arrangemems  being  made, 
tlie  battery  openeil  upon  the  house.  'I'he  lire  was  promptly  re- 
turned ;  and,  owing  to  the  unavoidable  exposure  of  the  Ameri- 
can troops,  was  extremely  destructive.  Captain  M'Pherson 
was  wounded  at  the  commencement  of  the  attaek,  but  continued 
at  his  post  until  a  second  shot  had  broken  his  thigh  ;  his  next 


HISTORY  OF  THE  W*R. 


191 


m 


Colli'. 

mucli 
vo  liun- 
le  Ame- 
ht'came 
•(iiinler. 
almost 
■ssily  of 
111  llicir 

n  tleter- 

,  where 

'iiemy's 

ci-k  nnd 

)c(1!.m1  or 

t  ail  car- 

A  l)ody 

■overing 

;e   miles 

With  a 

tholiead 

the  aoth 

mishing 

lie  house 

and  de- 

oinmand 

each,  ail 

son  ;  but 

to  pass, 

ve  and  a 

.    These 

d  lieute- 

laijCC    of 

(!  second 
r  sreneral 
id  Hissel, 
position 
hi  enable 
oinposed 
mder  the 
iig  made, 
iiptly  re- 
e  Ameri- 
'Fherson 
ontinued 
his  next 


Wilkinson  siispr-ndt'd  froni  tiu!  rorninnnil Disroiirauiiiu  Difln  iillifM. 


oflicer,  Larabee,  wins  shot  through  the  hiiiL'^s  ;  ami,  liciiKMiant 
Sluddoii,  who  kept  up  the  (ire  uiitil  the  t'lid  of  the  all'iir,  dhc'iave 
in  a  manner  which  (lr(!W  I'urlh  iht;  warm  praise  of  his  Lrcnoral. 

'I'lu;  IJrilish  conimaiulcr,  jieriutiviiig  thai  iIh;  Americans  jxt- 
sisted  in  hcunharcling  the  housi;,  made  a  (Ies|)erate  soriic,  and 
several  times  char^rcd  u|)<)n  the  cannon,  lie  w:'s  as  ol'ten 
repidsed  by  the  covcrinir  irnops,  a.nd  '.\  as  at  last  compincd  to 
retire  into  iiis  forlri^ss  with  loss.  It  Ik  iiiir  now  louiul  im- 
practicable to  make  an  impiession  on  the  r.MUsnally  thick  walls 
of  this  strong  buihling,  with  such  light  pieces,  notwiihstanding 
that  they  were  niaiiaijcd  with  <>reat  e^kill,  the;  comniaiidcr-in- 
chief  calhui  in  Ids  dill'crciil  parlies,  and  lell  hack  in  nood  oriler. 
The  loss  of  the  /unei'caiis  was  upwards  ol"  one  huiidicd  and 
forty  in  killed  and  wounded;  that  <jfthe  iJriti^h  was  not  ascer- 
taiiu'd. 

'J'he  unhn'tunato  issue  of  this  all'air,  looY^iJier  wit.,  ih.e  fiilure 
of  the  last  cami)aigii,  hrouuhl  f>ciieral  Wilkinson  into  dis- 
repute with  the  public,  'j'lie  administration,  yielding  to  the 
pojnilar  voice,  thought  proper  to  suipeiid  him  from  the  com- 
mand, and  jdacc'l  the  army  under  tlie  chai<r(!  of  gciicra!  I/ard. 
General  Wilkinson  was  aficruards  tried,  and  Jionouraldv  ac- 
quitted of  all  thecjiarges  alleged  against  him.  One  gre;it  fault 
iidierent  in  the  natureofcmr  form  of  government,  is  a  disposition 
to  hasty  and  harsh  decision  respecting  the  conduct  and  cliarac- 
ter  of  public  men,  w  liich  i!o  more  ceases  to  '.)e  itij\isti('e  when 
ertertaincd  by  ten  niiUious  than  ii'  by  ten  individuals..  Men 
are  often  ruined  in  j)ublic  csiiinatic/ii,  for  sliiiht  t  aui-cs,  or  for 
uncontrollable  accidents  ;  and  they  are  as  often  elevated  to  the 
higliest  pinnacle  of  ceicbriiy,  for  actions  which  may  he  better 
considered  as  the  cU'ec.  of  chance  than  the  test  of  merit. 

'J'he  most  disccmragiiig  dilliculties  presented  themselves  in 
the  economy,  ecpiipmen*  and  government  of  the  Anjerican 
tbrces,  to  the  very  last  hour  ol"  the  war.  'J'he  severity  of  the 
climate  on  the  Ixn'ders  of  the  !St  Jiawr(,nce  and  the  lakes  to 
which  our  tyros  were  exposed,  and  their  want  of  the  knowledge 
and  experiei'.c;^  requisite  to  render  themselves  comfortable  in 
camp,  were  the  causes  of  f.iial  diseases,  M'hicli  carried  o(T  a 
number  greiUer  than  fc  II  in  battle  ;  and  the  proportion  of  sick 
and  unlit  for  duly  Mas  at  all  times  very  great.  I'rom  the  want 
of  tiiat  system,  regularity  ami  strictness  which  belong  to  old 
establishments,  there  existed  at  one  moment  a  superabun- 
dance of  all  the  necessary  munitions,  and  at  another,  as  great 
a  scarcitv.  'ihere  was  no  eiul  to  the  irrcirular  and  unforeseen 
expenses  which  t!ie  government  was  crnstantly  called  upon  to 
incur.     Abuses  the  most  vexatious,  and  which  bailled  every 


i 


":  1' 


11 


BRACKENRIDUE'S 


SiiniiruliiiB UnHiicDHNfiil  Attack  hy  ttic  HritiHli  at  otter  Creek. 


efFort  to  rt'lbrni,  were  practised  in  :ill  the  subordinate  depart- 
ment. All  this  must  l)e  attributed  to  the  (rue  causes  :  our 
settled  liabils  of  peace,  and  t!'e  slowness  with  which  the 
orffani/atidu  of  military  estai)lislimriits  must  ever  be  circcted 
under  a  liovenimeiil  like  ours.  We  had  yet  to  learn  and  put 
in  practice,  the  ceaseless  and  ever  varyiufr  minutia*  of  cainp 
police.  W'v  had  no  rej^ular  soldiers  until  alinost  the  close  of 
the  war;  and  what  scIuxjI  of  exjjcrience  had  we  in  which  to 
train  ii\u\  form  them  ?  Our  subalterns,  ;it  first,  were  jufenerally 
men  of  lilile  education  of  any  kind,  and  required  themselves 
the  instruction  which  they  imdertook  to  communicate. 

To  these  unavoidable  misfortunes,  was  to  be  superadded  the 
disgraceful  conduct  of  many  of  our  fi'ontior  iidial)itants,  who 
supplied  the  (iuemy  with  every  lliiuir  of  which  they  stood  in 
want.  In  sj)ile  of  vigilant  exertion  to  [)revent  it,  a  constant 
intercourse  was  kept  up  across  the  (Janada  line  ;  and  the  British 
were  not  only  furnished  with  immense  ([uantities  of  provisions 
without  which  they  could  not  have  sul)^•isl('(i  their  armies,  but 
Avere  also  regularly  advised  of  each  matter  of  importance  which 
transpired  on  the  American  side. 

Shortly  after  the  allair  of  La  Colle,  the  greater  part  of  the 
enemy's  force  was  collected  at  St  John's  and  Isle  Aux  Noix, 
for  the  jHirpose  of  securing  the  entrance  of  the  British  squad- 
ron into  Lake  Champlain,  on  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice.  Tliis 
movement  was  eilccied  early  in  ]\lay.  Some  time  before  this, 
on  the  suggestion  of  general  Wilkinson,  commodore  M'Donough 
had  forlilled  the  mouth  of  Otter  river  by  the  erection  of  a  bat- 
tery on  the  cape  at  its  entrance,  so  as  to  secure  a  passage  to  the 
lake  for  his  ilotilla,  which  then  lay  at  Yergennes,  some  miles 
higher  up  the  river,  waiting  for  its  armament.  'I'his  precau- 
tion proved  of  great  service.  The  commodore  had  laboured 
with  indefatigable  industry  to  provide  a  naval  force  for  this 
lake  which  might  cope  with  that  of  the  enemy;  and  the 
first  object  of  the  British,  when  they  found  the  navigation  open, 
was  to  attempt  its  destruction,  before  it  could  be  prepared  to 
meet  them.  On  the  12th  of  INIay,  a  bomb  vessel  and  eight 
large  galleys  were  stationed  by  the  enemy  across  the  river,  for 
the  purpose  of  blockading  the  squadron,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  intercept  the  naval  supplies,  required  for  completing  its 
armament,  and  which  it  was  supposed  would  be  sent  thither  by 
water.  Captain  'i'hornton  of  the  light  artillery,  and  lieutenant 
Cassin  with  a  number  of  sailors,  were  ordered  to  the  defence 
of  the  battery ;  and  indications  being  at  the  saiue  time  dis- 
covced  of  an  attempt  by  the  enemy  to  assail  the  battery  in  the 
rear,  general  Davis,  ci'"  the  Vermont  militia,  called  up  part  of 


I 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAR. 


103 


•k^ 

"part- 
:  our 
eh    the 

Hooted 
11(1  put 
cainp 

(ISC    of 

iich  to 
iiiprally 
iiselves 

deil  the 
ts,  who 
stood  in 
onstant 
liritish 
Dvisions 
lies,  but 
e  which 

•t  of  tlic 
k  Noix, 
h  squad- 
'..  This 
ore  tliis, 
)oiu)ugh 
af  a  bat- 
re  to  the 
lie  miles 
;  precau- 
ialioured 
for  this 
and  the 
on  open, 
glared  to 
nd  eight 
river,  for 
ime  time 
eting  its 
liiiherby 
eutenant 
!  defence 
tinie  dis- 
ry  in  the 
)  part  of 


I 


llrilijih  Flout  enters  Lnke  Cliiiinpliiiii. . .  .('nMtt -I  Inr  Siipe     irilv  uti  I,;ike  (  Hitnrm. 

his  brigade,  in  ordi;r  to  oppose  i\\v  iaiidhig.  At  daybreak  on 
the  I'llli,  the  encniy  cominciiccd  anaitacU  ujion  the  works,  but 
were  so  cHccUially  rcsi.siiil,  that  ihey  were  (■(impelled  to  with- 
draw from  their  position,  Icavinu;  behind  them  in  their  retreat 
two  of  their  g-.dleys.  ('omniodore  .M'Donough  h;.(l  attempted 
to  bring  down  some  of  the  American  vessels  to  the  mouth  of 
the  river;  but  the  lirilish  s(|ii;i(h()ii  had  disa])peared  Ixlore  lie 
could  attain  his  object.  Sodii  alterw  ards  their  whole  s(|uadron 
moved  down  into  the  lake,  but  not  without  some  skirmishing  with 
a  smtdl  body  of  miliiia  under  general  Wright,  as  they  passed 
Burlington. 

While  the  naval  prei)arations  were  iiinkinL,^  on  Lake  Cliam- 
plain,  the  winter  and  f-ornig  were  taken  tip  with  similar  pre- 
parations for  the  coniiiig  contest  on  l^ake  Ontario.  At  Kings- 
ton, the  IJriti.^h  were  building  a  ship  of  extraordinary  size  ; 
for  they  no  longer  trusted,  as  they  had  done  with  other  nations, 
to  superior  seamanship  and  \alour.  ('omniodore  Oliauncey 
therelbre  was  under  the  necessity  of  building  an  additional 
vessel,  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  as  nearly  as  possible  an 
equality  of  force.  Whil(!  these  vessels  were  in  course  ofco.istruc- 
tion,  nunu'rous  attemj)ts  were  made  to  destroy  them,  which  it 
required  all  the  vigilance  of  each  j^ariy  to  prevent  the  other  from 
carrying  into  effect.  ( )n  the  '^riih  ol  A])ril,  three  ol'the  enemy's 
boats,  provided  with  the  means  of  blowing  up  the  vessels,  suc- 
ceeded in  ir(;tiinL''  close  into  Sacki  it's  llarhour;  but  the)  were 
discovered,  anil  iired  ujx)!!  by  lieutenant  Ihidley,  the  ollicerlhen 
on  guard,  befor(;  they  could  execute  their  purpose,  and  compelled 
to  throw  their  powder  into  tlie  lak(!,  in  order  to  i)revenl  the  explo- 
sion oi' their  own  boats.  Foiled  in  this  attempt,  by  the  vijiilance 
of  the  Americans,  they  next  formed  th{;deteniiiiiaiion  to  intercept 
the  rigging,  naval  stores  and  liuns,  I'or  the  new  ship  (Superior, 
then  on  their  way.  'J'hese  had  been  deposited  at  Oswego; 
and  thither  sir  James  Yeo  pioce(.'ded  with  his  whole  lleet,  hav- 
ing on  board  a  larire  body  of  troops  under  aeneral  Drummond, 
for  the  j)ur[)ose  of  storming  the  fort  and  capturing  so  valuable 
a  booty.  'I'he  British  arrived  on  the  5th  of  May,  and  imme- 
diately commenced  a  heavy  bombardment  of  the  place.  'I'hc 
force  at  Fort  Oswego  consisted  of  three  hundred  men  under 
the  command  of  lieutenant-colonel  Mitchell — a  mimber  too  small 
to  contend  with  so  superior  a  force  ;  and  had  live  guns,  three 
of  which  were  almost  useless,  besides  a  shore  battery  of  one 
twelve-})ounder.  The  Americans  no  sooner  perceived  the 
enemy,  than  they  sunk  th.e  schooner  (irowler,  then  in  Oswego 
creek  receiving  the  cannon ;  strengihened  the  garrison  of  the 
fort  bv  the  addition  of  the  sailors  of  the  Growler,  under  lieutenant 


V.J 


% 


til 


>  ■'    . 


■(    ,  .;  ft 


J' 


9V 


■iTrajTiiaii 


194 


nUACKENKlI)(ii:\S 


(lulliint  I)i?f«!iuc  of  <)H\vc(r(i. 


.illdrkiidc  (irSitcki'lt'H  ll.'irliitiir. 


5u 


Pierce ;  and  planted  all  the  tents  that  could  i)e  procured  on  the 
village  side  of  the  ereek,  in  order  to  give  the  appearance  of  a 
large  force  of  militia.  'J'he  shore  hattcry  was  connnanded  hy 
captain  Uoyle,  seconded  hv  licMitcuant  liCiiate.  At  ouc  o'clock, 
fifteen  hargcs  filled  with  tro()j).s  moved  towards  the  shore,  pre- 
ceded hy  several  gun-hoats  to  cover  the  landinu,  while  the  can- 
nonade from  the  larger  vessels  was  still  continued.  As  soon 
as  the  enemy  got  within  range  of  shot,  they  were  so  warmly 
received  hy  the  gun  on  the  shore,  that  their  hoats  were  twice 
repulsed,  one  of  the  largest  failing  into  tlie  hands  ol'the  Ameri- 
cans; and  at  last  were  compelled  to  retire;  to  their  shii)i)ing. 

The  British  s(|uadron  now  stood  oil",  hut  this  was  evidently 
for  the  purpose  ol  ri^newing  th(!  attack  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
render  it  ellectual.  On  the  (llli,  th(3  enemy  ai^ain  approached, 
liaving  resolved  to  land  uiulc.r  cover  of  their  ships.  They  ac- 
cordingly kept  up  a  heavy  iire  for  three  hours,  while  their 
land  forces,  two  thousand  in  number,  under  general  De  Walte- 
villc,  succeeded  in  gaining  the  sliorc,  afn^r  a  uallant  resistance 
by  lieutenant  I'ierce  and  his  seanu-n.  (-'olonel  Mitchell  no\' 
abandoned  the  fori,  and  joining  his  corps  to  the  marines  and 
seamen,  engaged  the  enemy's  iVont  and  Hanks,  and  did  great 
ex'ecution.  Finding  furlln'r  resistance  useless,  he  I'cll  hack, 
formed  his  troops,  and  took  up  his  march  to  the  Falls  oi Os- 
wego, thirteen  miles  distant,  destroying  the  bridges  in  iiis  rear. 
Hither  the  naval  stores  had  already  been  removed,  and  lor  all  the 
trouble  and  loss  which  they  hati  sustained,  the  British  procured 
nothing  more  than  the  cannon  of  tl;e  fort,  a  few  barrels  of  pro- 
visions and  some  whiskey.  'I'liesc  were  purchased  with  a  lo^s  ol 
two  hundred  and  thirty-live  men,  in  killed  and  woundetl.  'I'lic 
loss  of  the  Americans  was  sixty-nine  in  killed,  wounih  tl  and 
missing;  among  the  lirst,  a  promising  oliicer,  lieutenant  lilaney. 
On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  enemy  evacuated  the  [)h\ce. 

On  the  15th,  a  part  of  this  force  proceeiled  to  PuUeneyvillo, 
and  demanded  the  public  stores,  'i'he  inhal)itants  were  unable 
to  repel  the  invaders,  and  the  British  conunodore  landed  a  party 
of  sailors  and  marines,  who  indulgee!  themselves  in  their  usual 
depredations;  when  general  Swift,  of  the  New  York  militia, 
opportunely  arriving  with  a  part  of  his  brigade,  put  them  to 
flight.  The  enemy  did  not  attempt  to  re-land,  but,  along  with 
the  other  vessels  of  the  squadron,  sailed  for  Sackeli's  Harbour. 

The  British  lleet  approached  Sackelt's  Harbour  on  the 
19th;  and  east  anchor  in  such  a  manner  as  to  cut  oil"  all  com- 
munication betw^cen  thai  port  and  other  places  on  the  lake.  The 
object  of  sir  James  Yeo  was  to  prevent  the  yuj)erior,  which 
had  just  been  launched,  from  receiving  her  armament  and  equip- 


ness 

reac 

now 

w;is 

chasi 

draw 

one  II 

wlii 

'Die 

mom 

and 

the  :: 

men, 

ture( 

otlict 

Arm 

con( 

j)laii( 

cans 

their 

pract 

sin, 

to  th 

Sack 


a 


IIlsrORV  OF  TlIK  WAIt, 


lOA 


iiir. 

1  on  the 
ri!  of  a 
ulcd  by 
o'clock, 
ire,  f)rc- 
ihe  can- 
As  soon 
warmly 
•c  twice 
Ameri- 

vidcntly 
ricr  as  lo 

roached, 

I'hcy  ac- 

lilc   llioir 

>(;  NValte- 

csistancc! 

hell   nov 

riiu'S  and 

did  jiTcai 

I'cll   back, 

dis  of  Os- 

I  hi»  rear. 

for  all  die 

procured 
■Is  of  pro- 
ih  alo!?s  of 

led.    'riic 

indcd  and 
it  lilanev. 

place, 
teneyvillc, 
ere  unable 
ted  a  party 
their  usual 
irk  nidiiia, 
t  them  to 
along  with 
s  Harbour, 
ur  on  the 
[V  all  com- 
ake.  The 
•ior,  which 

and  equip- 


KDtrauniit'iit  iit  Sitinlv  Cri'i-k,  nii'l  rii|itiir<-  nt'ilir  Itriiwh  lln-n 


nients,  which  Ik;  cont-civcd  must  come  by  water ;  and  conse- 
fluently,  when  he  heard  that  she  had  obtained  them  from  the 
interior  by  land  convi-yance,  '.e  l)rok(!  up  the  blockade,  and  re- 
turned to  l\inn>ton. 

Ill  the  meantime,  some  additional  cannon  and  ordnance  stores 
intended  for  vessels  of  the  American  licet,  had  arrived  at 
()s\\ ('!/((.  Another  lU'W  ship,  the  Mohawk,  was  at  this  linuj 
on  th(!  slocks,  and  in  onler  to  prepar(!  her  loi  the  lake  tnirly  iu 
,fnne  these  supplies  were  iiuli^pensably  necessary.  Kecent 
experience  had  tan»iht  the  Amerit^an  commander  to  avoiil  the 
expense  and  ilelay  of  l;\nd  cariiaire;  and  it  was  therefore!  deter- 
iidnrd,  since  the  Hritish  licet  had  disipjiearfMl,  lo  transport 
them  i>v  water.  To  de(!eivi!  the  eneinv,  who  hail  numerous 
^nn-boals  hovering  about  the  ilillerent  cre(d;s,  a  report  was 
circulated  that  the  stores  were  lo  be  forwarded  lo  the  Oneida 
Tiake.  Xineleen  barges,  then  lying  at  Oswego  l-'alls,  were 
assi(.vii(Ml  for  tlu-ir  conveyance,  and  were  j)laced  under  the 
command  of  captain  Wcjolsey  ;  and  major  Appling  was  des- 
patched by  general  (Jaines,  with  a  detachment  to  aid  in  their 
defence.  On  the  28th  of  May,  captain  W'oolsey  brought  his 
llotilla  down  the  creek  and  reached  the  villaui;  of  Oswego  by 
sunset.  Finding  ihc  coast  (dear,  he  took  advantage  of  the  dark- 
ness of  the  night  and  put  into  the  lake.  'J'he  next  day  he 
reached  fSandv  (.'reek,  and  ascended  it  a  few  miles.  A  boat  was 
now  despatched  to  look  out  for  tin;  Hritish  on  the  lake,  which 
was  discovered  by  some  of  their  gun-vessils  aiul  immediately 
chased.  Major  Appliuir  and  captain  Woolsey  determined  to 
draw  them  into  an  ainl)nscade.  As  had  been  foreseen,  the 
enetny  pushed  their  gun-boats  aiul  culU'rs  up  the  creek, 
while  a  party  of  lliem  landed  and  ascended  alons;  the  bank. 
The  Americans  now  suddenly  rnsheil  upon  ihem,  aiul  in  a  few 
moments,  after  one  tire  by  which  ainind)er  of  them  were  killed 
and  wounded,  the  whole  party,  consistiui^  of  four  lieutenants  of 
the  navy,  tw'olieulenants  of  marines  ami  oiu;  hmulred  aiul  thirty 
men,  were  taken  prisoners,  a.nd  all  their  boats  and  cutters  cap- 
tured. Miijor  Applino',  for  this  all'air,  was  breveted,  and  his 
otlicers,  lieutenants  Smith,  AFInlosh,  ('alhoun,  AFl'\irland  and 
Armstrong,  and  ensign  Austin,  were  pidilicly  thanked.  The 
conduct  of  captain  Woolsey  antl  his  ollicers  was  not  less  ap- 
plauded. A  i)ar'y  of  Oneida  Indians,  who  had  joined  the  Ameri- 
cans in  this  all'air  and  had  been  the  first  to  reach  the  British  after 
iheir  surrender,  were  about  to  commence  the  mode  of  warfare 
practised  by  the  savages  in  the  Hritish  service  at  the  river  Rai- 
sin, Lewistown  and  'I'uscarora ;  but  they  were  compelled,  greatly 
to  their  displeasure,  to  desist.  The  barges  soon  after  arrived  at 
Sackett's  Harbour  in  safety. 


\^ 


t' ', 


t 


■I 


196 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Deatli  of  Colonel  TorsN  tlit — ol"  Captain  Miiiloiix Expciliiion  apiiiist  Dover. 


The  consequences  of  this  nflair  wore  scvoroly  felt  by  the 
British  :  they  lost  a  number  of  their  best  seamen  ai.d  oflicers,  and 
commodore  ('liauncciy  once  more  became  master  of  the  lake. 
He  accordingly  sailed  out,  and  several  times  presented  himself 
before  Kin^^ston  ;  but  sir  James  did  not  think  it  jirudent  to  stir 
until  his  large  ship  of  one  hundred  .uid  twelve  :;uns,  then  on 
the  Siocks,  should  be  completed.  This  mode  of  warfare  was 
cxceedinirly  expensive  to  both  parties,  but  especially  so  to  the 
enemy:  it  is  ascertained  that  their  outlay  was  more  than  twice 
what  was  incurred  by  us,  in  consequence  of  the  greater  ditli- 
culties  which  attended  the  transportation  of  their  supplies. 

No  other  event  of  material  consequence  transpired  in  this 
quarter,  nor  on  lakes  Erie  or  Chamj)lain,  until  late  in  the  sum- 
mer. 

In  a  skirmish  on  the  borders  of  the  latfer,  colonel  Forsythe, 
an  active  but  eccentric  partizan  ollii'cr,  loai  his  life.  On  the 
28th  of  June  he  made  an  incursion  as  far  as  Odelltown  ;  and 
having  attacked  a  party  of  the  enemy,  retreated,  with  the  view 
of  drawing  them  into  an  ambuscade.  Before  he  had  com- 
pletely succeeded  in  this,  however,  he  showed  himself  and 
his  men,  and  a  severe  skir.n'sh  ensued.  In  this  engagement 
seventeen  of  the  enemy  were  killed;  among  the  number,  the 
celebrated  partizan  ollicer  captain  Malloux,  a  Canadian,  who 
wa^  shot  by  lieutenant  Kiley.  Colonel  Forsythe  was  wounded 
in  the  neck,  and  died  a  few  days  afterwards.  After  his  death, 
the  command  of  his  corps  devolved  on  major  Appling. 

It  would  be  improper,  also,  to  pass  unnoticed  the  following 
affair.  Colonel  Campbell,  having  crossed  the  lake  from  Erie 
with  al)out  five  hundred  men,  landed  at  Dover,  a  small  village 
on  the  Canada  side  of  Lake  Erie,  and  proceedcul  to  destroy  the 
mills  together  with  the  greater  part  of  the  private  dwellings. 
This  expedition  was  undertaken  by  him  without  orders  ;  and  as 
Misconduct  in  it  was  generally  reprobated,  a  court  of  inquiry,  at 
which  general  Scott  presided,  was  instituted.  The  court  deci- 
r'ed,  that  the  destruction  of  the  distilleries  and  mills,  as  they 
furnished  the  British  troops  with  their  necessary  supplies,  might 
be  justilied  by  the  usages  of  war  ;  but  the  other  part  of  his  con- 
duct, although  excused  in  some  measure  by  the  example  of  the 
enemy  iji  laying  waste  and  pillaging  the  villages  on  the  Nia- 
gara, was  condemned.  The  otVence  of  colonel  Campbell  was 
mitigated  by  his  humane  treatment  of  the  defenceless  part  of 
the  inhabitants. 

To  the  westward,  but  little  of  moment  transpired  during  the 
remainder  ol  the  war,  as  we  were  once  more  in  quiet  possession 
of  all   our   territory  except   Michilimackinac.     Early  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


197 


■t  Dover. 

It  by  the 
cers,  and 
ilie  lake, 
d  himselt' 
Mit  to  stir 

then  on 
•tare  was 
so  to  the 

an  twice 
ater  lUfli- 
)!ies. 

il  in  this 
the  suni- 

Forsythe, 

On  the 

own  ;  and 

1  tlie  view 

had  com- 

mself  and 

igagement 

mibcr,  the 

idian,  who 

s  wounded 

his  death, 

If. 

?  following 
from  Erie 
nail  village 
destroy  the 
dwellings, 
ers  ;  and  as 
inquiry,  at 
court  deci- 
lls,  as  they 
)lies,  might 
of  his  con- 
11  pie  of  the 
II  the  Nia- 
npbell  was 
less  part  of 

during  the 

possession 

irly  in  the 


All'.iirs  ti>  llic  Westward (i.illanl  Deleiire  l»y  Ciiptain  Ildlnies. 


spring,  however,  intelligence  was  received  by  colonel  Butler, 
who  commaiulcd  at  Detroit,  ihat  a  consi(leral)le  number  of  regu- 
lars, Indians  and  militia  had  been  collected  at  the  river 
'i'hameH.  C-aptain  liRfi,  with  a  party  of  mounted  men,  was 
sent  to  reconnoitre  ;  and  succeeded  in  gaining  the  rear  of  tl 
British  forces  unobserved,  and  making  ])iisoners  of  several 
ollicers — nmong  the  rest,  of  colonel  Baubee,  who  had  com- 
manded a  body  of  Indians  which  took  part  in  the  British  depre- 
dations on  the  New  York  frontier. 

A  gallant  affair  was  soon  after  achieved  by  captain  Hollies, 
a  youth  of  promi?in<if  talents,  and  brother  to  the  governor  of 
the  iMississipjii  territory.  With  a  party  of  about  one  hundred 
and  sixty  rangers  and  mounted  men,  he  was  despatched  by 
colonel  Butler,  on  the  21st  of  February,  against  some  of  the 
enemy's  posts.  On  tiie  ',]d  of  March,  he  received  intelligence, 
that  a  Britisli  force,  then  at  a  village  fifteen  miles  distant,  and 
which  afterwards  proved  to  be  don'ole  his  own,  was  about  to 
descend  the  river  Thames  to  attack  iiini.  Finding  himself 
not  in  a  situation  to  give  battle,  from  the  fatigue  which  his 
men  had  already  encountered  and  his  ignorance  of  the  number 
of  the  enemy's  party,  ciiptain  Holmes  fell  liack  a  few  miles,  and 
chose  a  position,  in  which  he  was  contident  of  being  able  to 
maintain  himself,  until  he  could  obtain  the  necessary  informa- 
tion. For  tliis  j)urpose,  he  despatchetl  a  small  body  of  rangers, 
which  soon  returned,  pursued  bv  tlu;  enemy,  but  without  being 
al)le  to  learn  his  for.'e.  'i'he  IJriiish,  perceiving  the  strength 
of  captain  Holmes's  pf)sition,  resorted  to  stratagem  forthe  pur- 
pose of  drawing  him  from  it.  'I'hey  feii>ned  c\n  attack,  and  then 
retreated,  taking  care  not  to  show  more  than  sixty  or  seventy 
men.  Captain  Holmes  pursued,  but  with  caution  ;  and  after 
p'*oceediiig  about  live  miles,  discovered  their  main  body  drawn 
i._/  to  receive  him.  Immediately  returning  to  his  former  posi- 
tion, he  disposed  his  troops  in  the  most  judicious  manner,  and 
lirmly  wailed  for  the  enemy  ;  havinix  in  front  a  deep  ravine, 
aiul  the  api)roaches  on  the  other  sides  being  somewhat  difhcult 
and  also  protected  by  logs  hastily  thrown  together.  The  attack 
was  commenced  at  the  same  moment  on  every  point,  with 
savage  yells  and  the  sound  of  bugles  ;  the  regulars  charging  up 
the  heights  from  the  ravine,  while  the  other  sides  were  rapidly 
assailed  by  militia  and  Indians.  The  former  approached  within 
twenty  paces  of  the  Americati  line,  against  a  very  destructive 
fire  ;  but  their  front  sectmn  being  cut  to  pieces,  those  who  fol- 
lowed severely  wounded,  and  many  of  their  otlicers  cut  down, 
they  retired  to  the  woods,  which  were  within  thirty  paces;  from 
whence  they  continued  their  fire  with  great  spirit.    The  Arneri- 


m\ 


F 


198 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Cialliiiit  ]H'.i'enri-  Ity  Cajttaiii  Holiiirs 


.f'i'riiius  Crisis  in  our  Affairs. 


can  reiriilars,  beiiijr  unahehereil,  were  ordered  to  kneel,  that  the 
brow  ol'Uie  }iei<rht  might  assist  in  screening  them  from  tlie  enemy. 
On  the  other  three  sides,  tlie  attack  was  sustained  with  equal 
coohiess,  and  with  considerable  loss  to  the  loe.  No  charge  being 
made,  the  Americans,  behind  the  logs,  coidd  aim  their  pieces 
at  leisure,  with  that  deacHy  certtiinty  which  belongs  to  the 
backwoodsman.  The  British,  alter  an  hour  of  hard  lighting, 
ordered  a  retreat.  As  the  night  was  approaching,  captain 
Holmes  thought  it  unadvisable  to  pursue  them :  besides,  his  men 
were  much  laligued,  and  many  ol'  them  had  nearly  worn  out 
their  shoes  on  the  hard  frozen  ground.  The  American  loss  on 
this  occasion  did  not  amount  to  more  than  six  killed  and 
wounded.  According  to  the  statement  of  the  British,  their  loss 
was  sixty-five  in  killed  and  wounded,  besides  Indians.  Cap- 
tain Holmes  soon  afterwards  returned  to  Michigan  territory  ; 
and,  in  conseciuence  of  his  good  conduct  in  this  ailair,  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  major. 

Hitherto  nothing  of  moment  had  occurred,  which  could  have 
much  inlluence  on  the  final  result  of  the  war.  On  the  ocean, 
it  had  been  glorious  tor  us  ;  on  tlie  lakes  and  on  tiie  frontier, 
our  arms  during  the  last  year,  had  retrieved  our  former  dis- 
graces ;  and  on  the  sea  coast,  the  enemy  had  discovered  that  it 
was  not  an  easy  matter  to  make  an  inijn-ession.  It  is  true,  the 
disastrous  issue  of  the  campaign  agains^l  (Janada  took  from  us  all 
hope  of  being  able  to  make  a  conquest  of  that  province,  under 
present  circumstances;  but  the  happy  tcrnanation  of  the  Indian 
war  to  the  Mestward,  and  its  success  in  tlie  south,  allbrdcd 
some  consolation.  An  important  crisis,  however,  had  arrived 
in  the  general  slate  of  our  atlairs.  The  third  year  of  the  war 
found  the  situation  of  this  country  materially  changed  for  the 
worse.  The  gloomiest  periods  of  the  revolution  had  scarcely 
presented  a  state  of  things  more  painfully  discouraging.  The 
distresses  of  the  nortlicrn  states,  wliose  subsistence  in  a  <ireat 
measure  depended  upon  their  shipi)ing,  and  of  the  people  of  the 
south,  whose  staj)U's  had  almost  ceased  to  be  of  any  value ;  toge- 
ther with  die  embarrassments  of  the  banks  in  the  middle  states; 
had  begun,  at  last,  to  make  us  feel  that  we  were  at  war.  'i'o  a 
nation  who  had  been  for  years  in  the  most  flourishing  state,  a 
check  to  the  general  prosperity,  however  it  niighi  result  in  ulti- 
mate good,  was  felt  as  a  i)ositive  alUiclion.  To  the  farming 
interest  the  effects  of  hostilities  were  rather  beneficial  :  produce 
advanced  greatly  in  price,  and  lands  increased  in  value  ;  and 
the  wealth  of  the  cities,  no  longer  employed  in  commerce,  was 
diverted  to  the  interior,  and  soon  discovered  itself  in  the  im- 
provement of  the  lands,  the  erection  of  towns,  and  the  estab- 


lish n 
the  \ 
men 

exult 

only 

lott  t 

reaso 

In  se 

more 

mean 

deed 

have 

a  the 

ties  I 

the   ( 

Henr 

existi 

need, 

and  i 

The 

was  I 

admii 

jjoveij 

"  Ai 

with 

quenj 

empi 

housj 

This 

openl 

to  thf 

brim 

Fraiii 

coul 

publ 

utcdl 

sevel 

shod 

for, 

as  a  I 

us,  \| 

a  kiJ 

elleJ 

even 

eneil 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


199 


£_  *^i 


that  the 

enemy. 

ih  ciiiial 

ge  being 

ir  pieces 

to  the 

lighting, 

captain 

his  men 

urn  out 

n  loss  on 

led    and 

ilieir  loss 

s.     Cap- 

erritory  ; 

Hair,  was 

ould  have 

he  ocean, 
rontier, 
n-mev  dis- 
red  lliat  it 
s  true,  the 
Tom  us5  all 
ice,  under 
the  Indian 
1,  aih)rdcd 
ad  arrived 
)f"  the  war 
ed  for  the 
il  scarcely 
ing.  The 
in  a  great 
Dpie  of  the 
due :  toge- 
Idle  states ; 
ar.  J  o  a 
ng  state,  a 
111  It  in  ulti- 
le  farming 

:  produce 
alue  ;  and 
nerce,  was 
in  the  im- 

the  es tab- 


Serious  Crisis  in  our  Affairs Napoleon  ovorthrown. 


lishment  of  manufactures.  But  the  number  of  those  whom 
the  war  distressed  or  ruined,  was  proportioiudly  great ;  and  as 
men  are  louder  in  crying  out  against  calamities,  than  forward  to 
exult  in  their  good  I'ortune,  the  unfavourable  side  of  the  picture 
only  was  exhibited.  'I'iie  philosopher  might  say,  that  what  was 
lost  to  the  nation  bv  one  interest,  was  trained  in  another;  but  this 
reasoning  could  have  little  weight  with  in(Hvidual  sufTerers. 
In  several  of  the  New  Englaiul  stales,  the  complaints  assumed  a 
more  serious  aspect;  and  it  was  even  insinuated,  that  they 
meant  to  sec "de  from  the  union.  Such  an  event  would  in- 
deed have  filled  every  American  bosom  with  grief,  and  M'ould 
have  indicted  a  deeper  injury  on  our  common  country  than 
a  thousand  wars.  The  collisions  Ix'twei'U  the  state  iuithori- 
ties  and  those  of  the  union  were  beginning  to  ])roduce  all 
the  embarrassments  which  had  been  predicted  by  l*atrick 
Henry,  at  the  formation  of  the  constitution;  and  the  supposed 
existence  of  such  misunderstandings,  at  the  period  of  our  utmost 
need,  could  not  fail  to  weaken  the  hands  of  the  administration, 
and  increase  the  disposition  of  England  to  prosecute  the  war. 
The  disorders  in  our  financial  system  were  alarming;  and  it 
was  confidently  predicted,  that,  from  the  Mant  of  funds,  the 
administration  would  be  compelleil  to  yield  up  the  reins  of 
government,  or  throw  the  nation  upon  the  mercy  of  the  enemy. 
An  event  had  occurred  in  Europe,  which  could  not  be  viewed 
with  indillercnce,  even  on  these  distant  shores;  and  its  conse- 
quences threatened  us  with  serious  danger.  'J'he  ambitious 
emperor  of  France  had  been  hurled  i'rom  his  tlirone,  and  the 
house  of  Iknirbiui  restored,  by  the  combined  powers  of  Europe. 
This  event  was  received  by  some  of  our  I'ellow  citizens  with 
open  rejoicing,  as  though  it  brouoht  some  sign;il  good  lorlune 
to  this  country,  or  to  tlu'  human  race.  'I'o  this  country  it  could 
bring  no  benefit;  for  it  was  not  likely  tliat  the  iJourbon  king  of 
France,  although  he  might  not  so  cordially  hate  or  despise  us, 
could,  any  more  than  Majjoleun,  entertain  much  retiard  lor  a  re- 
public, the  contagion  of  whoso  example  was  said  to  liavi;  contrib- 
uted much  to  that  dreadful  revolution,  in  which  his  family  had  so 
severely  sulleretl.  liuleed  it  is  natural  that  a  republic  like  ours 
should  not  be  viewed  with  nnich  coni[)laccncy  by  an}'  monarch  ; 
for,  to  use  the  cxpressimi  of  Demosthenes,  "  we  are  considered 
as  a  spy  upon  their  actions."  It  was  a  mailer  of  indillerence  to 
us,  whether  the  throne  of  France  was  occupied  by  an  emperor  or 
a  king.  But,  as  (treat  Britain  had  claimed  the  ciiief  merit  of 
ellecting  this  woiulerfid  operation,  |)iiblic  rejoicings  for  the 
event  wore  the  appearance  of  sympathy  witii  the  success  of  our 
enemies.     The  event  was,  in  reality,  greatly  adverse  to  our 


I-: 


l! 


» 

11 

ilp 

IMlii 


200 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


(Ircat  Ilrilaiii  ilirci'is  her  iiiKiividcd  ciicririr's  atriiiiist  the  t'liiU'il  State: 


national  iiiteresls.  Fired  l)y  her  success  in  the  wars  of  the 
continent,  and  extravnoanily  elated  by  her  supposed  power 
and  irreatiiess,  our  enemy  I'ould  now  send  her  veteran  troo])S 
and  her  numerous  llc(Ms  to  chastise  America ;  while  our  com- 
nussioncrs  in  I'^urope  were  allowed  to  remain  tor  months  un- 
noticed. 'I'his  turn  of  atl'airs,  so  iar  from  aH'ordinir  irround  for 
exultation,  oujiht  rather  to  have  depressed  the  friends  of  liberty 
and  America,  (ireat  liritain  was  liiijliiy  incensed  that  we  had 
not,  with  all  due  patience  and  meekness,  coiitiinied  to  endure 
her  numerous  and  llaiirant  outrai^es,  imlil,  (liseiijrajied  iVom  her 
European  war,  she  should  have  leisure  to  cope  with  us  on  what 
she  called  equal  terms,  or,  in  other  words,  be  in  a  condition  to 
direct  the  undivided  force  of  her  immense  army  and  navy  atrainst 
us.  It  now  l)ehoved  us  to  think  lu)  more  olinvadinsr  Canada:  our 
northern  frontier  was  to  be  laid  waste,  our  sea  coast  devastated; 
and  the  utmost  to  be  expected,  was  a  successful  self-defence. 
In  the  plenitude  ol'  her  arroirancc,  Britain  talked  of  recolonizing 
our  countrv,  and  of  crioidinir  ns  for  liftv  vears  to  come.     Such 

.     '  tin  >       . 

was  the  situation  of  America  at  this  eventful  peri  1.  'J'he  time 
was  appronchinjr  which  would  test  the  strength  of  our  confede- 
ration, and  our  ability  for  defence,  and,  what  was  still  more 
intereslinjr,  the  sincenly  of  our  attachment  to  political  institu- 
tions, which,  if  not  venerable  from  time,  deserveil  the  highest 
admiration  for  their  justice  and  wisdom. 

'I'he  northern  sea  ccjast,  which  had  thus  far  experienced  little 
molestation  iVom  the  enemy,  became  the  object  of  attack  early 
in  the  sprina;.  On  the  7ih  of  April,  a  body  of  sailors  and  ma- 
rines, to  the  number  of  two  hundred,  ascending  the  (yonneclicut 
river,  landed  at  Saybrook,  and  spiked  the  cannon  and  de- 
stroyed the  shipping  they  found  there  :  thence,  proceeding  to 
Brockway's  Ferry,  they  did  the  same;  and,  remaining  there, 
amused  tliemselves,  unapprchcMisive  of  allaclv,  for  twenty-four 
hours.  In  the  meantime,  a  body  of  militia,  aided  by  a  ninnber  of 
marines  and  sailors,  under  captain  Jones  and  lieutenant  Biddle, 
from  the  neighbouring  American  S([uadron,  had  collected  for 
the  purpose  of  culling  oif  their  retreat;  i)ut  the  Hritish,  taking 
advantage  of  a  very  dark  tiigiit,  and  using  mulUed  oars,  escaped 
safely  to  their  licet,  having  destroyed  two  huiuh'ed  thousand 
dollars  worth  of  shipping. 

About  this  time,  the  coasting  trade  was  almost  destroyed  by 
a  British  privateer,  the  Liverpool  Packet,  which  cruised  in  Long 
Island  Sound.  Commodore  Lewis  sailed  with  a  detachment  of 
thirteen  gun-boats,  and  succeeded  in  chasing  her  olF.  Proceed- 
ing to  Saybrook,  on  his  arrival  there  he  found  upwards  of  tifty 
vessels  bound  eastward,  but  afraid  to  venture  out.     The  com- 


of  the 

power 

troops 

iir  com- 

ihs  un- 

)UikI  for 

liberty 

we  had 

ciuhire 

roiu  her 

oil  what 

ilion  to 

airaiiist 

ada: our 

•aslalcd ; 

(Icrence. 

)lonizing 

:.     Such 

I'ho  time 

corifede- 

tili  more 

1  institu- 

i  highest 

iced  litde 
ack  early 

and  ma- 
niieciicut 

and  de- 
eedinif  to 
iig  there, 
enty-four 
lumber  of 
It  Biddle, 
icied  for 
h,  taking 
i,  escaped 
thousand 

royed  by 
J  in  Long 
;hment  of 
Proceed- 
Is  of  tifty 
riie  com- 


HISTORY  OF  THE   WAR. 


201 


Nortlieni  Kfta  Coiiat  inviidi-d  by  (.'Kmmodort'  lliirilj. 


modore  consented  to  take  them  r.nder  convoy,  witliout  i)romisiMg 
them  protection  against  tlie  British  squath-on  then  bhu'kading 
New  London.  He  saih'd  with  them  on  liie  25th,  and  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  same  diiy,  wt'.s  compeUcd  to  throw  himself 
between  !iis  convoy  and  a  Uritish  friiiate,  a  sloop  of  war  and 
a  tender,  and  maintain  a  contest  until  all  the  coasters  had 
safely  reached  New  fjondon.  Having  attaiiicil  this  object,  lie 
determined  to  try  what  he  could  do  with  his  iiun-boats  a<rainst 
the  enemy's  ships.  Furnaces  being  hastily  constructed,  he 
began  to  throw  hoi  balls  at  tlie  sides  of  the  enemy's  ships,  and 
repeatedly  set  them  on  lire,  williout  receiving  any  injury  himself. 
The  sloop  soon  withdrew,  and  the  tire  N\as  now  j)riuci|)ally 
directed  against  the  friiTHtc.  One  shot  passed  through  her, 
very  near  the  magazine  ;  her  lieutenant,  and  a  great  number  of 
her  men,  were  already  killed  ;  and  her  caplain  was  on  the 
point  of  surrendering,  when  he  obs'jrved  that  the  gun-boats  had 
ceased  firing.  The  night  having  closed  in,  and  it  being  exces- 
sively dark,  commodore  Lewis  had  berni  obliged  to  order  the 
gun-boats  to  desist  from  the  attack,  and  to  wail  until  morning. 
At  daylight,  he  perceived  that  the  enemy  were  towing  away 
their  vessels,  and  instantly  resolved  to  pursue  them  ;  but  several 
other  frigates  soon  after  making  their  ai)i)earance,  he  aban- 
doned this  design.  'J'his  allair,  together  with  that  of  Craney 
Island,  revived  the  discussion  of  the  utililv  of  j^un-boals  in  the 
defence  of  harbours  and  the  coast.  Great  service  had  been 
rendered  by  captain  licwis,  on  this  as  well  as  many  other  oc- 
casions, by  means  of  them. 

Formidable  squadrons  were  maintained  by  the  enemy  before 
the  ports  of  New  York,  New  London  and  Boston  ;  and  the 
whole  eastern  coast  was  exposed  to  their  ravages.  The  war 
was  carried  on  here  in  a  verv  dillerenl  manner  from  that  to  the 
south.  Commodore  Hardy  wouhl  not  permit  any  Vv'anton  out- 
rages upon  j)rivate  property,  or  upon  defenceless  individuals. 
In  spite,  however  of  his  prohibition,  there  were  particular  in- 
stances on  the  part  of  the  ollicers  commanding  smaller  parlies, 
in  which  they  gave  way  to  their  insatiable  thirst  for  plunder. 
At  Wareham  and  Scituate,  they  burned  all  the  vessels  al  their 
moorings  ;  and  at  the  former  town,  they  set  tire  to  an  exten- 
sive cotton  manufactory  :  but  at  a  place  called  Booth  Bay, 
they  met  with  a  spirited  resistance,  and  were  re{)eatedly  re- 
pulsed, in  various  desperate  attacks,  by  t!ie  militia  of  the  neigh- 
bourhood. 

An  invasion  of  a  more  serious  nature  was  made  in  July. 
On  the  11th  of  that  month,  sir  Thomas  Hardy,  with  a  strong 
force,  made  a  descent  on  Moose  Island,  in  Passamaquoddy 


# 


$ 


\' 


w 


— '"^'■'' 


202 


P.RACKENUIDnP.'S 


Kiitjsli  oi'dijiy  iillllK  Islaiiils  in  I'assaiiKiiiiioilily  Hay. 


Bay,  ami  aficr  takin;:^  possession  of  Eastport,  situated  on  that 
island,  declared  all  tlie  islands  and  towns  in  the  bay  to  ap- 
pertain to  his  liritannic  majesty,  and  retinired  the  inliabitants 
to  appear  within  seven  days  and  take;  the  oath  of  allegiance. 
About  two-thirds  of  the  inlia!)it:ints  submitted,  in  the  expecta- 
tion of  enjoy  intr  the  j)rivileirps  of  subjects:  neverlhelcss,  in  the 
month  of  Auiiust,  th(!  co'Micil  of  the  province  of  New  Bruns- 
wick declined,  lliat  notu  'hstniuling  the  oath  of  allegiance 
whicji  they  had  taken,  ihcy  shoidd  be  considered  as  a  conquered 
people,  and  placed  under  military  government.  Eastport  was 
soon  alier  stroiij,dy  forlilicd,  and  remained  in  tlie  possession  of 
the  Hritisii  until  the  conclusion  of  the  war;  but  they  found  ex- 
treme dilKiculiy  in  subsisting  their  troops,  and  desertions  were 
so  frequent  that  the  ollkers  were  olien  compelled  to  perform 
the  duties  of  sen;inels. 

On  the  S)ih  of  Auirust,  Commodore  Hardy  saiicd  with  a  part  of 
his  stpuidron,  fen*  the  purpose  o(  .itlackiuirStoninglon.  The  ap- 
pearance of  this  force  before  the  town  excited  much  alarm,  which 
was  not  diminished  wlu'u  the  inhai)itanis  received  a  message  from 
the  comnmdore,  dircctiufr  them  to  remove  the  women  and  chil- 
dren, a=i  he  had  received  ordcu'S  to  reduce  the  place  to  ashes. 
Although  with  very  trilling  means  of  defence,  the  citizens  de- 
termined to  make  an  attempt  to  save  their  property;  having  first 
complied  with  the  terms  ofthecommoLore's  note.  The  handful 
of  miliiia  of  the  place  repaired  to  a  small  battery  erected  on  the 
shore,  and  to  a  breast-work  thrown  up  I'or  musketry ;  and  at  the 
same  time  despatched  an  exjiross  to  obtain  assistance  from  general 
Cusliing,  commanding  at  Tv^w  liOndon.  In  the  evening,  five 
barges  and  a  large  launch,  lilled  with  men,  approached  the  shore, 
under  cover  of  a  lieavy  lire  from  the  enemy's  ships.  'I'he 
Americans,  reserving  their  iire  until  the  enemy  were  within 
short  grape  distanre,  opened  two  eighteen-pounders  on  the  in- 
vaders, and  soon  comjielled  them  to  retire  out  of  the  reach  of 
the  battery.  The  British  next  endeavoured  to  land  at  the  east 
side  of  the  town,  wliich  llu^y  supposed  defenceless;  but  a  part 
of  the  militia  being  detached  thither  with  a  six-pounder,  they 
were  again  repulsed.  'J'he  enemy  now  retired  to  their  shij)s, 
determined  to  renew  the  attack  in  the  morning;  and  in  the 
meantime  kept  up  a  bombardment  until  midnight.  'J'lie  next 
morning,  at  dawn,  one  of  the  enemy's  vessels  approached  within 
})istol  shot  of  the  battery,  ami  the  barges  advanred  in  still  greater 
numbers  than  the  day  before:  these  were  again  gallantly  re- 
pulsed, and  the  vessel  was  driven  from  her  anchorage.  The 
squadron  then  renewed  the  bombardment  of  the  town,  but  with- 
out elTect;  and  on  the  12th,  the  commodore  thought  proper  to 


Nf 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


203 


on  that 

to  ap- 

abitants 

Bgiance. 

t'xpecta- 

,  ill  the 

Brung- 

eiriance 

liquored 

(»rl  was 

ssion  of 

iiiid  ex- 

)iis  were 

per  lor  m 

a  parlol 
Theap- 
n,  which 
sage  from 
and  chil' 
to  ashes, 
izens  de- 
iviiipf  first 
e  liandful 
3d  on  the 
iiid  at  the 
in  general 
ninsT,  five 
[he  shore, 
ps.  The 
re  within 
m  the  in- 
reach  of 
[  the  east 
but  a  part 
(ler,  they 
eir  ships, 
nd  in  the 
riie  next 
ed  withih 
ill  greater 
anUy  re- 
ge.  The 
but  with- 
proper  to 


Briti'^h  occupy  Maine  east  of  the  IViiobs-vOt DestriictinH  «f  ;,••  John  Ailiin)«. 

retire.  The  inhabitants,  after  tl'.ls  gallant  defence,  vhieh,  con- 
sidering the  means  with  which  it  was  efFccied  and  the  great 
disparity  of  Icrtc  opposed  to  them,  deserves  mucii  praise,  once 
more  occupied  their  dwellings  in  security. 

It  was  not  long  after  this,  that  the  Hritisji  claimed  all  that 
part  of  the  territory  of  Maine  between  the  river  Penobscot,  and 
Passamaquoddy  Bay.  On  the  1st  of  September,  the  governor 
of  Nova  Scotia,  and  admiral  (iriiliih,  entered  the  Penobscot, 
and  seized  the  town  of  ('asiine,  w  hieh  the  garrison  iiad  jn-evi- 
ously  evacuated,  A  proclamation  was  then  issued,  declaring 
that  pospcssiun  of  that  portion  of  Maine  wliich  lies  east  of  the 
Penobscot  was  I'ormally  taken  in  the  name  of  his  Hritannic 
majesty.  'J'he  country,  which  contained  about  thirty  thousand 
inhabitants,  was  then  gradually  occupied,  and  was  retained 
until  the  termination  of  the  war. 

A  few  days  before  the  occupation  of  Castine,  the  frigate  John 
Adams,  captain  Morris,  entered  the  Penobscot  river,  after  a 
successt'ul  cruise ;  and  iiavingrun  upon  the  rocks  near  that  port, 
was  obliged  to  be  hove  down  at  Hampden,  thirty-live  miles  up 
the  river,  fo**  the  purpose  of  bein<r  repaired.  On  the  lid  of 
September,  several  of  the  IJritish  vessels,  and  ten  barges,  man- 
ned by  about  one  thousand  men,  ascen>  rd  iVoin  ('astine  forthe 
purpose  of  capturing  the  frigate,  ('aptain  Morris,  apprized  of 
their  approach,  erected  several  l)atteries  on  eminences  near  his 
vessel,  and  armed  the  militia.  Finding,  however,  that  there  was 
nopossil)ility  of  successfully  resisiiiiii  the  eiu'my,  he  ordered  ilic 
greater  part  of  his  crew  to  retroat  under  lieuicnanl  A\  atlsworth, 
wliile  lie  I'.imself  and  a  few  men  remained,  to  blow  up  ihe  ship. 
'I'his  they  ell'ected  ;  and  then  plunged  into  the  river,  and  reached 
a  place  of  saiety  by  swimming.  The  British,  ilisajipointed  in 
this  undertakiuLS  retired  to  Castine. 


hi 
I 


i 


20i 


BRACKENRIDCiE'S 


iNiival  Kvciil.'^ Tlic  l''isi(lfiit 'I'ln'  L'uiiJiHtiitiun. 


CHAPTER  XM. 


Naval  Events— The  I'laiitaL'cnct  Sen  nty-Four  (l( clinis  a  Cmitcst  with  Cominii- 
dorr  Rddifcrs — ('a|)iain  Siiuart  i  liani  ;  a  liritish  l-'riiiatc  (if  f(|ii:il  (orrc — f'riiisf  ol 
CoiniiKiilorc  I'dilir  In  the  Kssiv — lie  r;;|iliiirs  twelve  ariiieil  l!riti>li  Whale  Ships — 
Arrives  at  tlie  Island  nf  .Niiii.iJici'vali — Takes  possession  in  the  nnnic  iifihr  Ameriran 
Govern  men  I  —  His  Diiliciilties  v\  ith  the  Savaiies  tiien —  lie  hiiriis  the  '!'\  pec  Villai:es — 
Critisli  Aliiise — < '(iinniodore  rorler  arrivis  at  \  alparaiso — Is  aitarked  hy  the  I'luehe 
and  (/hernli — ills  Despi.Mate  Itesistae.ce — Captiire  ot' t!ie  Kssex  and  Kssex  Junior — 
'J'liu  I'eacock  eaplnres  the  lirilish  ItriL'  I'.peivier — 'I'lie  \Vas|)  captures  the  ReiniUer — 
Tlie  Wasp  sinks  tlie  Avon — M>sl(i  ions  F, ess  ot' tlir  Was)) — (rniseol  the  l'resi(i<>ril, 
the  Peacock  and  the  llornit — The  I'residi'iit  laptund  hy  a  liiili>h  ^(piadmii — The 
Constitution  enna^'es  and  (  aptnres  thi' ('\  at-e  and  tin'  I.i\  ant— 'I'iic  Hornet.  ( 'aplaiii 
Hiddje,  captnres  the  I'lnuiiin — Ivvpioitsot'  I'li vat eers — Captiiri'  of  tlie  American  Trivii- 
tecr  Armstrong,  a.'er  a  dreadl'nl  Carnage  of  the  Enemy. 


i: 


The  naval  i  icidents  of  ei<rlitceii  Iniiulrcd  and  fourteen,  wore 
as  trrateful  to  the  feelings  of  the  nation  as  those  of  the  two  pre- 


vious years. 


An  oecurrencetook  place  in  tlie  bcginnins^of  it,  vvhii'li  afforded 
much  mortification  to  the  enemy.  In  the  month  of  February, 
commoilore  Kodjicrs,  on  his  return  iVoin  a  cruise  in.  the  Presi- 
dent, found  himself  olf  Sandy  Hook,  in  the  ncierhhouiliood  ol 
tlirce  large  liritish  ships  of  war,  the  nearest  of  which  was  the 
Plantagenct,  a  seventy-four.  13elieviiig  that  an  engagement 
with  one,  or  all  of  them,  was  unavoichihU-,  h.e  iniinechr.tely  cleared 
for  action,  dcierininiug  not  to  surrender  his  ship  without  selling 
it  as  dearly  as  he  could.  Rut  notwithstanding  he  llred  a  gun  to 
windward  as  a  proof  of  his  willingness  to  engage,  the  British 
vessels  did  not  think  proper  to  ai)j)ro;\ch,  and  he  reached  New 
York  safely.  Captain  Lloyd,  of  t!ie  IMantageuet,  after  return- 
ing to  England,  accounted  for  his  conduct,  hy  alleging  a  mutiny 


in  his  si 
eh; 


up 


an 


d  several  of  his  sailors  were  executed  on  the 


u'ire. 


In  the  month  of  April,  captain  Stewart  was  on  liis  retm'n  in 
the  Constitution  from  a  cruisr,  when  he  was  chased  hy  two 
British  frigates  and  a  hriff,  I)ut  escaped  by  superior  seamansliip 
into  Marblehead.  Some  time  lu'loit ,  al';er  capturing  the  pub- 
lic schooner  Pictou,  he  fell  in  with  the  British  frigate  La  Pitpie, 


i 


Comtnn- 
Cruise  ol 
;ilc  Ships — 
!■  Atiicriran 
•  Villa;!cs— 
thf  riifPlK- 
tx   JllIlilT— 

Ut  iniU  (^r— 

I'lcsidciil. 

adidii — Till 

net.  I'aptaiii 

riciiii  I'riva 


een,  were 
I  two  pre- 

!i  aOorded 
February, 
llie  Presi- 
iiirliood  oi 
li  M'as  llic 
igagenicnt 
;'ly  cleared 
out  sellisifr 
d  a  ifuu  to 
he  British 
[^hcd  New 
ter  rolurn- 
r  a  mutiny 
3d  oil  the 

3  return  in 
ed  bv  two 

[■amanship 
g  the  pub- 
La  Pique, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


205 


Cruise  of  Comini'  lore  I'ortor  in  tlte  Essex His  Arrival  at  Nociahuevali. 


captain  Maithmd,  which  fled  on  the  ajjproach  of  the  Constitu- 
tion, and  finally  escaped  durint^  the  night,  alter  a  long  chase. 
Captain  Maitland,  on  his  arrival  in  England,  was  coinpliiiK'nled 
by  the  board  of  admiralty,  for  thus  obeying  their  instructions, 
in  not  lighting  an  Am«;rican  fi-igate.  The  enemy  had  become 
equally  shy  of  the  gun-boat  flotilla.  Commodore  liCwis  re- 
peatedly beat  oil"  the  British  vessels  near  Sandy  I  look,  and 
facilitated  the  return  of  the  American  ships.  ']'hc  I)rig  Regent, 
laden  with  a  very  valuable  cargo,  was  chased  by  the  Belvidcra, 
when  commodore  l^ewis,  throwing  himself  with  eleven  of  his 
gun-boats  between  them,  the  frigate  moved  oil'  without  return- 
ing the  shot  of  the  gun-boats. 

Tliat  brave  and  adventurous  seaman,  commodore  T'orter,  of 
the  Essex,  terminated  this  year  his  glorious  cruise  in  the  Faciflc. 
From  Lima,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  which  he  had  chastised 
the  pirates  of  the  ship  \ereyda,  he  proceeded  to  the  Calli- 
pagos,  where  he  cruised  from  April  until  October  1813;  and 
in  the  course  of  that  time  captured  twelve  armed  British  whale 
ships,  carrying  in  all  one  hundred  and  seven  guns,  and  three 
hundred  and  two  men.  Several  of  these  he  fitted  out  as 
American  cruisers  and  store  ships;  and  one  of  them,  the 
Atlantic,  which  he  caKeJ  the  Essex  Junior,  he  equipped  with 
twenty  guns  and  sixty  men,  and  assigned  it  to  lieutenant 
Downcs,  liis  first  oflicer.  Those  prizes  which  were  to  be 
laid  up  were  convoyed  by  tliis  latter  oflicer  to  Valparaiso. 
On  his  return,  he  brought  intelligence  to  commodore  Porter, 
that  a  British  squadron,  consisting  of  one  frigate  and  two  sloops 
of  war,  and  a  store  ship  of  twenty  guns,  had  sailt.'  In  quest  of 
the  Essex.  The  commodore,  having  been  almost  a  year  at 
sea,  with  little  intermission,  found  it  absolutely  necessary  that 
his  ship  should  undergo  considerable  repairs.  With  this  view, 
he  steered  to  the  island  of  Nooaheevah,  of  which  he  took  pos- 
session in  the  name  of  the  American  government;  calling  it 
Madison's  Island,  in  honou.  of  the  president.  Here  he  found 
a  fine  bay,  and  a  situation  in  every  other  respect  suital)le  to 
his  wishes.  The  inhabitants  at  first  were  apparently  friendly  ; 
but  it  was  not  long  before  he  perceived  that  his  situation  would 
be  unsafe,  in  consequence  of  a  war  which  prevailed  between  the 
inhabitants  of  a  neighbouring  village,  and  those  by  whom  he 
had  been  received.  The  latter  insisted  upon  his  joining  them 
in  their  wars,  and  threatened  to  drive  him  away  if  he  did  not. 
Compelled  by  a  regard  to  his  own  safety,  the  commodore  sent 
a  party  of  sailors  with  the  natives,  who,  by  their  assistance, 
defeated  their  enemies.  At  his  instance,  a  peace  was  brought 
about  between  them  :  in  return  for  which,  the  natives  erected 


*■■'!' ■ 


it 

I 

1 


200 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


(-'imii Iiiir  I'lirliT  liiiriis  tlu;  'I'yiii'jj  Villiiui's  al  NiMialiicvali. 


ilh 


for  h 


accoimnodatioii,  and  freely  traded  with  liim 
for  provisions ;  and  for  some  time  the  greau.si  liarmony  j)re- 
vailed. 

Ilis  security  was  njrain  menaced  by  tlie  hostile  eop'i'-'"  ^f 
the  'J'ypees,  one  of  tlic!  most  warlike;  lril)es  on  the  isla  nO 

were  (tonlinutdly  nr^injr  the  friendly  H.iva},a'.s  to  destroy  the 
stranjrers.  Finding  his  situation  f^rowing  every  day  iporc 
critical,  and  being  very  unwilling  to  engage  in  a  war  with  them  ; 
the  commodore  sent  thcun  presents,  and  rcijueslcd  that  they 
wouhl  remain  quiet  and  be  .U  peace.  'I'his  had  no  other  ed'ect 
than  to  increase  their  insolence  to  the  Americans,  whom  lliev 
represented  as  cowardly,  or  they  would  not  have  condescended 
to  beg  for  peace.  He  now  discovered  ihal  his  safety  tU-peniled 
entirely  upon  niuking  these  people  fe<'l  his  strength  ;  as  it  was 
imj)ossil)le  for  him  to  leave  the  island  nnlil  his  vessel  could  be; 
repaired,  and  while  the  greater  part  of  his  eilects  were  actually 
on  shore.  lie  therei'ore  set  oil"  against  IJM'm  at  the  head  of 
thirty-live  men,  determined  to  give  them  biiiilc,  and,  by  showing 
tiie  ellicacy  of  his  weapons,  to  comj.cl  them  to  a  pacilic  course. 
'I'lu!  necessity  for  this  st(!j)  was  great,  as  those  tribes  which  had 
liithcrto  i)een  friendly  were  on  the  point  of  breaking  out  into 
hostilities.  But  the  force  with  which  he  marched,  was  insufli- 
cient  to  make  any  impression  on  liis  savage  enemies.  'I'lieir 
cotmtry  being  exceedingly  mountainous,  and  abounding  in  tJiick' 
ets,  it  was  easy  for  them  to  escape,  'i'he  comnio(!(;re  was, 
therefore,  compelled  to  return  from  this  expedition  without 
achieving  his  object.  To  ])revent  the  lVit;ndl\'  savages  from 
rising,  he  found  it  necessary  to  inform  them,  that  he  woulii 
proceed  the  next  day  with  a  much  larger  body  of  men.  lie 
now,  with  the  greater  part  of  his  crew,  marched  across  the 
mountains,  notwithstanding  the  extreme  dilliculties  of  the  route, 
and  penetrated  into  the  valleys  of  the  n;'tives.  Jleing  unable 
to  come  at  them,  as  they  again  took  refuge  in  their  inaccessible 
fastnesses,  he  burnt  nine  of  their  villages,  and  then  retreated. 
The  'J'ypees  now  gladly  accepted  terms  of  peace  ;  and  all  the 
tribes  on  the  island  vied  with  each  other  in  friendship  towards 
the  whiles,  as  long  as  the  commodore  renniined. 

'J'he  destruction  of  the  Typee  villages  I'urnished  tlie  IJrilish 
writers  with  occasion  i'or  the  most  scandalous  abuse  of  com- 
modore I'orier  anil  the  American  people.  The  burning  by  an 
American  olllcer,  in  self  defence  and  i'or  the  sake  of  peace,  of  a 
few  wigwams  covered  with  palm  leaves,  erected  merely  for  shelter 
from  the  heats  or  rains  of  the  torrid  zone,  was  to  be  viewed 
with  horror;  while  the  conduct  of  tlie  British  government  in 
India,  in  America,  and  throughout  the  world,  without  any  motive 


and 
'I' 

port 

unite 

men 

sixty 

(lore 

from 

singl 

dial  I 

Anu 

was  I 

outsj 

tlivel 

to  e 

war! 
larbl 
on 


!:iH 


IV 


ith  liim 
)My  j)rc- 

iiO 

roy  thr 

li  llicm; 
;»l  tlicy 
cr  cirect 
)in   lliry 
I  I'lulcd 
iU'i)tMulc;il 
as  il  was 
could  \iv. 
('.  ai-tually 
head  of 
showing 
ic  course, 
w  liicli  had 
ir  out  into 
as  insufli- 
.'s.     Their 
III  in  thick' 
i(!(;re   was, 
)\i  without 
a(ies   from 
he  wo\ih! 
men.      He 
across  the 
f  the  route, 
'in<^'  unable 
iiaci'essible 
1  retreated, 
and  all  the 
lip  towardi^ 

the  IJritisli 
■jc  of  coin- 
ninj?  bv  an 
peace,  of  a 
y  for  shelter 
be  viewed 
eninient  in 
any  motive 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


207 


He  nrrivGs  at  Vnl|mriiim). 


! 


hut  that  of  a  l)aso  rapacity,  was  to  he  passed  over  unnoticed  ! 
'I'liere  is  one  part  ofconimodore  Porter's  conduct  which  could  not 
he  ap|)roved  ;  and  that  was  the  t.ikinif  possession  of  the  i^land  in 
the  name  of  the  American  government.  'J'his,  although  it  gave 
satisfai'iion  to  the  natives,  who  regarded  it  as  an  expression  of 
friendship,  wa.-  following  the  evil  exam|)le  of  Muropean  states, 
wliich  have  usually  considered  themselves  entitled,  by  the  right 
of  j)ri()r  discovery,  to  territories  inhabited  oidy  by  uncivilized 
men.  Had  the  'fypec  war  ensued  in  conse(iuencc  of  this  act, 
it  could  have  found  no  jnstifu'ation. 

The  Essex  being  (,'ompletely  re|v,iir<Ml  and  supplied  with 
provisions  for  four  mr.iiths,  the  commodore  sailed  for  \  alpa- 
raiso  on  the  12th  of  DecemIxT,  a<'coinpanied  by  lieutenant 
Downing  with  the  Essex  Junior,  and  arrived  there  on  the  I2th 
of  .January  IHll.  H(!  left  behiml  him  tliree  of  his  prizes, 
.secured  under  a  fort  which  he  had  erected,  in  the  charge  of 
lieutenant  (laml)le,  of  the  marines,  with  orders  to  proceed  to 
Valparaiso  after  a  certain  time. 

Il  was  not  long  afnu*  the  arrival  of  commodore  Porter  at  Val- 
paraiso, M  hen  commodore  Ilillyar  ai)|iearcd  there  in  the  Plurbe 
iVigaie,  accompani(>d  by  the  Cherub  sloop  of  war.  'I'hese  ve.s- 
sels  had  been  e(juipped  for  tlie  purpose  of  meeting  the  Essex; 
and  carried  lla^s  bearing  the  motto,  "  (iod  and  our  country, 
British  sailors'  best  rights  :  Irailors  nj/'end  Hum.''''  This  was 
in  allusion  to  Porter's  celebrated  nu)tt(),  "  Free  trade  and  sailors' 
rights."  He  now  hoisted  at  his  mizzen,  *'God,  our  country, 
and  lii)erty:  tyrants  oflend  them." 

The  Hritish  vessels  soon  after  stood  out,  and  cruised  ofl'  the 
port  about  six  weeks,  rigorously  blockading  the  Essex.  Their 
miited  i"orce  anu)unted  to  eighty-one  guns,  and  live  hundred 
men;  while  that  of  the  Essex  and  Essex  .Junior  was  only 
sixty-six  guns,  and  three  hundred  and  twenty  men.  Commo- 
dore I'oi^er,  being  prevented  by  this  great  disparity  of  power 
iVom  engaging,  nuule  repeated  attempts  to  draw  the  Pluebe 
singly  in  o  action,  as  well  l)y  manceuvring  as  by  sending  formal 
challenges;  but  commodore  Ilillyar  carefully  avoided  it.  The 
American  commander,  hearing  that  an  additional  British  force 
was  on  its  way,  and  having  discovered  that  his  vessel  could 
outsail  those  of  the  British,  determined  to  put  to  sea,  and,  by 
diverting  the  pursuit  to  himself,  to  enable  the  Essex  Junior 
to  escape  to  a  place  of  rendezvous  previously  appointed. 

On  the  2Sth  of  March,  the  wind  blowing  fresh  frorn  the  south- 

3r   starboard  cable,  and 


partei 


aggea 


larboard  anchor  to  sea.     Not  a  moment  was  lost  in  getting  sail 
on  the  ship.     In  endeavouring  to  pass  to  the  windward  of  the 


If 


208 


IJUACKENRIDGE'S 


('iitiiiniiiliirv  I'ortiT  ii  iittackril  hy  lUv  riiri-be  nnil  (.'licriib. 


ennrny,  a  sxiuall  slnick  the  American  vessel,  just  as  she  was 
doiihliiitr  the  j)()iiil  lorminj^  the  wcslcrn  side  of  llie  h;ii-- 
buiir,  which  carried  away  her  main  topmast.  IJoih  Hriti.sh 
sliijrs  imiiicdiately  jrave  cliase.  Hcinir  inialde  to  esc:ii)e  in  Ids 
crippled  slate,  the  c()mmo(h)re  cii(h!avour(;(l  to  put  hack  into 
the  harhour;  hut  liiidinj,''  this  impracticahle,  he  ran  into  a  small 
bay,  ahout  three  cpiarters  ol'  a  mile;  to  the  eastward  of  the  har- 
bour, aiul  anchored  within  j)isloI  shot  of  the  shore,  where,  from 
a  suppctsition  that  the  enemy  would  <'oiitimie  to  respect  the 
neutrality  of  ihe  |)ort,  he  thonf,^)!  himself  secure.  He  soon 
found,  however,  l>y  the  manner  in  wiiich  they  approai'Iicd, 
that  he  was  mistaken.  Widi  all  j)ossil)le  desi)alch,  therefore, 
he  prepared  his  ship  for  action,  and  endeavoured  tofiel  as^)^ln^ 
on  his  c;ihle  :  he  had  not  accomplished  this  when  the  enemy  com- 
menced tlu*  attack,  at  lifty-four  minutes  past  three  P.  M.  At 
first,  the  I'lKche  placed  herself  on  his  stern,  and  the  Cherub  on 
his  larboard  bow  ;  butlhe  lattcsr,  lindin',^  herself  exposed  to  a  hot 
(ire,  soon  changed  her  position,  and  with  her  consort  kept  up 
a  rakinir  fire  under  his  stern.  'I'he  Americans,  beinj?  unable  to 
biintr  their  broadside  to  bear  on  the  enemy,  were  obliged  to  rely 
for  del'ence  against  this  tremendous  attack,  on  three  long  twelve- 
pouiulers,  which  they  ran  out  of  the  stern  ports.  These  were 
worked  with  such  bravery  and  skill,  ami  so  much  injury  to  the 
enemy,  as  in  half  an  hour  to  compel  them  to  haul  oif  and  re- 
pair. It  was  evident  that  commodore  II illy ar  meant  to  risk 
nothing  from  the  daring  courage  of  the  Americans ;  all  his 
maiKeuvrcs  were  deliberate  and  wary:  his  antagonist  was  in 
his  ])ower,  and  his  only  concern  was  to  succeed  with  as  little 
loss  to  himself  as  possible.  The  situation  of  the  Essex  was 
now  most  deplorable:  already  many  of  the  gallant  crew  were 
killed  and  woundeil;  and  the  crij)pled  stale  of  their  ship  ren- 
dered it  impracticable  for  them  to  l)ring  her  guns  to  bear  upon 
the  enemy.  Still  they  were  not  disheartened:  aroused  to  des- 
peration, they  expressed  their  dcliance  to  the  enemy,  and  their 
determination  to  hold  out  to  the  last. 

'J'he  enemy  having  repaired  his  damages,  now  placed  him- 
self, with  both  ships,  on  the  starboard  (i,uarter  of  the  Essex, 
where  none  of  her  guns  could  be  brought  to  bear;  and  the 
commodore  saw  no  hope  of  injuring  him  but  by  getting  under 
\va)%  and  becoming  the  assailant.  The  flying-jib  was  the  only 
sail  he  had  left:  causing  this  to  be  iioisled,  and  culling  his  cable,  he 
ran  down  on  both  ships,  with  the  intention  of  laying  the  Pluebe  on 
board.  Forashort  time  he  was  enabled  to  close  with  the  enemy. 
Although  the  decks  of  the  Essex  were  strewed  with  dead,  and 
her  cockpit  was  lilled  with  the  wounded ;  although  she  had  been 


cripi^ 

migl 

sex 

liaw 

Ess( 

scri] 

I)urs| 

belol 

Tlu| 

his  A 

of  hf 

shot 


sho  was 
the    li;ir- 


I 


Hrit 


ISll 


)(!   Ill  Ins 


):i(' 


into 


M>  a  •siniill 
t!i(;  liar- 
licre,  iVoni 


ishiM 


t  ll 


le 


c  soon 


11 

pronrlicd, 

hlicrerorc, 

I  :i  spring 

Minv  foni- 

M.     At 

'licrulj  on 

0(1  to  a  liot 

rt  kept  lip 

uikiIjIo  to 

rvd  to  rely 

)ng  twelve- 

^liose  were 

jury  to  the 

jir  aiul  re- 

mt  to  risk 

ns ;   all  his 

ist  was  in 

ith  as  little 

Essex  was 

crew  Mere 

ir  ship  ren- 

bear  upon 

sed  to  (les- 

^,  ami  their 

laced  him- 
ihe  Essex, 
r;  and  the 
tting  under 
as  the  only 
lis  cable,  he 
i  Phoebe  on 
the  enemy. 
I  dead,  and 
e  had  been 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


209 


IIIm  Di'Mponiti'  Iti  iistntict', 


several  t  nios  on  (ire,  and  was,  in  fact,  a  perlcct  wreck  ;  a  feeble 
hope  now  aros»^  that  she  niiiflit  yet  he  saved,  in  consequenco 
of  the  ('hernb  heinif  so  much  crippled  as  to  i)c  coiii|)ell('d  to  haul 
oil".  She  did  not  return  to  close  action  auain;  but  she  kept  up 
her  fire  at  a  distance,  with  her  Ioiilt  ijuns.  The  Essex  was  unable, 
lutwcver,  to  take  advantage  of  llu;  circiiinstance ;  as  the  I'lnrbc 
edited  oil",  and  also  kept  up,  at  a  distance,  a  destnu'tive  fire. 
Couiinotlor(!  I'tntcr,  findiiiix  that  the  ciieiny  h:ul  it  in  his  power 
to  choose  his  distance,  at  last  ifave  up  all  hop(.'  of  a^iain  coniiiiir 


l(»  d 


os»'  tpiarlers,  aiiil    attenip 


led   t 


o  run   nis  vessel  on   shon; 


The  wind  at  that  nionient  favoiircMl  ihi;  desii^rn;  hut  it  suddenly 
changed,  turning  her  lieiul  upon  the  l*h<il)e,  and  exposing  her 


to  a  raking  tire.  I  lie  ship  was  totally  uiinianaLfealth';  but  as 
she  drifted  with  her  head  to  the  enemy,  cfjinmodore  Porter 
again  encouraged  the  hope  oi"  ixMriii-  aide  to  board.  At  this 
inoinent  lieutenant-commandant  Downcs,  of  the  Essex  .lunior, 
came  on  board,  to  receive  orders,  in  the  expectation  that  his  coin- 
inander  would  soon  be  a  prisoner.  His  sj'rvices  could  be  of  no 
avail  in  the  present  dcphjrable  state  of  the  Essex;  and  linding, 
from  the  enemy's  pulling  up  his  helm,  that  the  last  attempt  at 
boarding  would  not  succeed,  he  directeil  Downes  to  rejjair  to 
his  ship,  to  be  jirepared  for  defending  her  in  case  of  attack,  and, 
if  necessary,  of  destroying  her. 

'I'lie  slaughter  on  l)oard  the  Essex  now  became  liorrible,  the 
enemy  continuing  to  rake  her,  while  she  was  unable  to  bring 
a  single  gun  to  bear.  Still  her  commander  refused  to  yield 
while  a  ray  of  hope  appeared.  I'^very  cx|)(>di('nt  that  a  fertile 
and  inventive  genius  could  suggest  was  resorted  to,  in  the  for- 
lorn chance,  that  he  might  lie  aliie,  by  some  lucky  circumstance, 
to  escape  from  the  grasp  of  the  foe.  A  hawser  was  bent  to  the 
sheet  anchor,  and  the  anchor  cut  from  the  bows  to  bring  the 
ship's  head  round.  This  siicccicded  ;  and  the  broadside  of  the 
Essex  was  again  brought  to  bi'ar.  As  [he.  enemy  was  much 
crippled  and  unable  to  hold  his  own,  it  was  hoped  that  he 
might  drift  out  of  gun-shot,  before  he  discovered  that  the  Es- 
sex had  anchored:  but  alas!  this  last  expedient  lailed  ;  the 
liawser  parted,  and  with  it  went  the  last  lingering  hope  of  the 
Essex.  At  this  moment  her  situiition  was  awful  beyond  de- 
scription. vShe  was  on  tire  both  before  and  aft;  the  llaines  were 
bursting  up  each  hatchway  ;  a  quantity  of  powder  had  exploded 
below;  and  word  was  given  that  the  lire  was  near  her  mairazine. 
Thus  surrounded  by  horrors,  with  no  prol):djility  of  maintaining 
his  ship,  the  commodore  ilirected  his  attention  to  saving  as  many 
of  his  gallant  companions  as  he  could  ;  and  as  the  distance  to  the 
shore  did  not  exceed  three  quarters  of  a  mile,  he  lioped  that 


wm 


ii 


\ 


210 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


(";i|)turi'  dl"  the  Essex  anil  Essex  Jiinicir. 


many  of  ihcm  would  make  their  escape  before  the  sliip  blew  up. 
The  boats  had  been  destroyed  by  the  enemy's  shot :  he 
thereibre  ordered  such  as  could  swim  to  jump  overboard  and 
endeavour  to  gain  the  land.  Some  reached  it,  some  were  taken 
by  the  enc.ny,  and  some  perished  in  the  attempt;  buttiie  greater 
part  of  ids  generous  crew  resolved  to  stay  by  the  ship,  and 
share  the  fate  of  their  connnander. 

They  now  laboured  to  extinguish  the  flames,  and  succeeded. 
After  this,  they  again  rc[)aired  to  their  guns,  but  their  strength 
had  become  sonuich  exhausted,  that  an  eflort  at  further  resistance 
was  vain.  Commodore  Porter  then  summoned  a  consultation 
of  the  oflicers ;  but  was  surprised  to  lind  only  one  acting  lieu- 
tenant, Stephen  Decatur  M'Knight,  remaining.  The  accounts 
from  every  part  of  the  ship  were  deplorable  indeed :  slie  was 
in  imminent  danger  of  sinking,  and  so  crowded  with  the 
wounded,  that  the  cockpit,  the  steerage,  the  wardroom  and 
the  birth  deck  could  hold  no  ni  re.  In  the  meantime  the 
enemy,  at  a  secure  distance,  continued  his  fire  ;  and  the  water 
Iiaving  become  smooth,  he  struck  the  hull  of  the  Essex  at  every 
shot.  At  last,  despairing  of  saving  his  ship,  the  commodore 
was  compelled,  at  twenty  minutes  j)ast  six  P.  M.,  to  give  the 
painful  orders  to  strike  the  colours.  The  enemy,  not  seeing 
probably  that  this  had  taken  place,  continued  to  lire  for  ten 
minutes  after  ;  and  I^orter,  under  a  belief  that  they  intended  to 
give  no  quarter,  was  about  to  direct  the  colours  to  be  again 
I'oisted,  when  the  firing  ceased.  The  loss  on  board  the 
Essex  was  fifty-eight  killed,  thirty-nine  wounded  severely, 
twenty-seven  slightly,  and  thirty-one  missing.  The  loss  of 
the  liritish  was  five  killed,  and  ten  wounded.  Tlieir  vessels 
were  both  much  cut  up  in  their  hulls  and  rigging;  and  the  Pluebe 
(!Ould  scarcely  be  kept  afloat  until  she  anchored  in  the  port  of 
Valparaiso  next  morning. 

Commodore  Porter  was  permitted,  on  his  parol,  to  return  to 
the  United  States  in  the  Essex  .lunior,  which  was  converted 
into  a  cartel  for  the  purpose.  On  arriving  ofl'  the  port  of  New 
York,  he  was  brought  to  and  detained  by  the  Saturn  razee ;  and, 
to  the  disgrace  of  the  British  arms,  compelled  to  give  up  his 
parol,  and  declared  a  prisoner  of  war.  Tiie  Essex  Junior  was 
ordered  to  remain  under  the  lee  of  the  Saturn.  Commodore 
Porter  now  determined  to  attempt  his  escape,  though  thirty 
miles  from  shore.  Manning  a  boat  with  a  sulHcient  crew,  he  put 
ofl';  and  notwiilistauding that  he  was  pursued  from  the  Saturn, 
he  arrived  safely  in  New  York.  His  countrymen  received  him 
xvith  open  arms  ;  and  the  most  unbounded  demonstrations  of 


i*?*:> 


ip  blew  up. 
shot :    lie 

3rboard  and 
were  taken 
the  greater 

;  ship,  and 

succeeded. 

icir  strength 

r  resistance 

consultation 

acting  lieu- 

le  accounts 

3d :   she  was 

d  with    the 

u'droom  and 

leantime  the 

ul  the  water 

sex  at  every 

commodore 

.,  to  give  the 

y,  not  seeing 

)  liie  for  ten 

y  intended  to 

to  i)e  again 

311  board   the 

led  severely, 

'J'he  loris  of 

riieir  vessels 

ml  the  Plupbe 

in  the  port  of 

I,  to  return  to 
\'as  converted 

port  of  New 
'n  razee ;  and, 
)  give  up  his 
X  Junior  was 

Commodore 
though  thirty 
t  crew,  he  put 
n  the  Saturn, 

received  him 
onstrations  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


211 


Tlic  Peacock  captures  tlie  British  Brig  Epervier. 


joy  prevailed  wherever  he  appeared.  Certainly  his  services 
to  his  country  justly  'claimed  its  gratitude  and  esteem. 

Perhajis  a  more  dreadful  example  of  determined,  unconquer- 
able courage  than  the  unsuccessful  defence  of  the  Essex  was 
never  exhibiuul:  to  an  American,  no  victory  could  allbnl  more 
grateful  and  proud  recollections.  It  was  pleasing  to  see  the 
spontaneous  expression  of  iiuinan  feeling  in  favour  of  the  weak, 
when  contending  against  siijjerior  force.  Thousands  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Valparaiso  covered  the  neighbourintr  heights,  as 
spectators  of  the  conllict.  Touched  with  the  forlorn  situation 
of  the  Essex,  and  filled  with  admiration  at  the  unllagging  spirit 
and  persevering  bravery  of  her  ccn'.mander  and  crew,  a  gene- 
rous anxiety  animated  the  multitmle  for  their  fate.  Bursts  of 
delight  arose  when,  by  any  vicissitude  of  battle  or  prompt  ex- 
pedient, a  change  seemed  to  be  taking  place  in  their  favour; 
and  the  eager  spectators  were  seen  to  wring  their  hands  and  to 
utter  groans  of  sympathy,  when  the  transient  hope  was  de- 
feated. 

During  the  third  year  of  the  war,  every  naval  combat,  without 
a  single  exception,  where  there  M'as  any  thing  like  equality  of 
force,  terminated  in  favour  of  the  Americans,  'i'lie  sloop  of 
war  Peacock,  captain  Warrington,  launched  in  October  1813, 
performed  a  cruise  during  the  winter,  and  on  her  return,  was 
chased  into  St  Mary's.  She  soon  after  put  to  sea  again,  and 
on  the  29th  of  April  discovered  the  British  brig  of  war  Epervier, 
captain  Wales,  with  several  vessels  under  convoy  which  im- 
mediately made  sail  on  her  approach.  An  engagement  between 
the  two  vessels  of  war  followed  soon  afterwards.  At  the  first 
broadside,  the  foreyard  of  the  Peacock  was  totally  disabled  by 
two  round  shot  in  the  starboaid  quarter.  By  this,  she  was 
deprived  of  the  use  of  her  fore  and  foretop  sails,  and  was  obliged 
to  keep  aloof  during  the  remainder  of  the  action,  which  lasted 
forty-tu'o  minutes.  In  this  time,  she  received  considerable 
damage  in  her  rigging,  l)ut  her  hull  was  not  at  all  injured. 
The  Epervier  struck  with  five  feet  water  in  her  hold,  her  top- 
mast over  the  side,  her  main  boom  shot  away,  her  foremast 
cut  nearly  in  two,  her  fore  rigging  and  stays  shot  away,  and 
her  hull  pierced  by  forty-five  shot,  twenty  of  which  were  within 
a  foot  of  her  water  line.  Of  her  crew  eleven  were  killed,  and 
her  first  lieutenant  and  fourteen  men  wounded.  She  was  im- 
mediately taken  possession  of  by  lieutenant  Nicholson,  first 
oflicer  of  the  Peacock,  who,  with  lieutenant  Voorhees  of  the 
same  ship,  had  been  already  distinguished  in  another  naval 
action.  The  sum  of  one  hundred  and  eighteen  thousand  dollars, 
in  specie,  was  found  in  her,  and  transferred  to  the  Peacock. 


■UiMfei 


212 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Tlie  Wasj)  ciiptnics  tin;  Roindcrr. 


"inks  the  Avon. 


Captain  Wnrrintrton  immccliatcly  set  sail,  with  his  prize,  for 
one  of  the  southeii..  ports.  Tlie  clay  follo\vin;ur,  the  captain  tlis- 
covered  two  frisjates  in  chase.  At  the  sugjTcstion  of  lieutenant 
Nicholson,  he  took  all  the  prisoners  on  l)oar(l  thel^eacock;  and 
leaviii',''  only  sixteen  men  on  hoard  the  llpervier,  directed  her 
to  seek  the  nearest  port.  IJy  skiUul  seamanship  the  captain 
succeeded  in  escapiiiir  from  the  enemy's  ships,  and  reaching 
Savaimah.  II(!re  he  I'ound  his  prize ;  lieutenant  Nicholson 
havino;  I)rouiTht  her  in,  after  Ix-'atiii!!-  off  a  launch  well  manned 
and  armed,  which  had  been  desjwtchcd  from  the  fri<rates  to 
overtake  him. 

Cajitain  Uhdvcly,  of  the  new  sloop  of  war  the  Wasp,  sailed 
from  Portsmouth  on  the  1st  of  May.  After  seiziiifj  seven  mer- 
chantmen, on  the  0th  of.hdy,  while  in  cliase  of  two  other  vessels, 
he  fell  in  with  the  IJritish  l)ri<r  of  war  Reindeer,  captain  Manners, 
and  immetliately  altered  his  course,  and  hauled  hy  the  wind,  in 
chase  of  her.  At  fifteen  minutes  past  one  P.  M.,  he  prepared 
for  action;  but  it  was  two  hours  later,  in  consequence  of  their 
man(puvring  and  the  endeavours  oi' the  Reindeer  to  escape,  ere 
he  approached  sullicicntly  near  to  engajre.  Several  guns  were 
tired  from  the  Wasp  before  her  antagonist  coidd  bring  her  guns 
to  bear;  and  the  helm  of  the  latter  was  therefore  put  a-lee.  At 
half  past  three,  ca[)tain  Ulakely  commenced  the  action  with  his 
after  carronades  on  tlie  starboard  side.  Shortly  afterwards,  the 
larboard  bow  of  the  Reindeer  being  in  contact  with  the  Wasp, 
captain  Manners  gave  orders  to  board.  The  attempt  was  gal- 
lanUy  repulsed  by  the  crew  of  the  Wasp,  and  the  enemy  several 
times  beaten  off.  At  forty-four  minutes  past  three,  orders  were 
given  to  board  in  turn.  Throwing  themselves  with  prompti- 
tude upon  the  deck  of  the  enemy's  ship,  the  boarders  succeeded 
in  the  executi'^n  of  their  orders  ;  and  at  forty-live  minutes  past 
three,  her  ihig  came  down.  8he  was  almost  cut  to  pieces, 
and  half  her  crew  were  killed  or  wounded.  The  loss  of  the 
Wasp  was  live  killed  ami  twenty-one  wounded  :  among  the 
latter,  midshipmen  Langdon  andToscan;  both  of  whom  expired 
some  days  after.  The  Reindeer  having  been  found  altogether 
unmanageable,  was  blown  up  ;  and  captain  Ulakely  steered  for 
L'Orient,  to  provide  for  the  wounded  of  both  crews. 

After  leaving  L'Orient,  and  capturing  two  valuable  British 
merchantmen,  captain  IMakely  fell  in  with  a  fleet  of  ten  sail, 
under  convoy  of  the  Armada  seventy-four,  and  a  bomb  ship. 
He  stood  for  them,  and  succeeded  in  cutting  out  of  the  squatl- 
ron  a  brig  laden  with  brass  and  iron  cannon,  and  military  stores, 
from  Gibraltar.  After  taking  out  the  prisoners  and  setting  her 
on  fire,  he  endeavoured  to  cut  out  another,  but  was  chased  oil"  by 


man 

to 

pro 

of  w 

und 

still 


HISTORY  OF  THE  W  VR. 


213 


rize,  for 
ain  (lis- 
sutcnant 
ck;  and 
:lcd  her 
captain 
I'oachinfT 
ic.-hoisoii 
manned 
•rates  to 

),  sailed 
ven  mer- 
•  vessels, 
daiiners, 

wind,  in 
prepared 

of  their 
cape, ere 
lus  were 

ler  o-uns 
-lee.     At 

with  his 
ards,  the 
le  Wasp, 
was  gal- 
y  several 
iers  were 
proinpti- 
ucceeded 
utes  past 
d  pieces, 
5s  of  the 
iiong  tlie 
1  expired 
Itogelher 
eered  for 

e  British 
ten  sail, 
nib  ship, 
le  squad- 
ry  stores, 
!tting  her 
led  olf  by 


My^tcriiius  Loss  of  the  Wasp Cruise  oftlie  rresident,  Peacock  and  nornet. 

the  seventy-four.  In  the  eveniiiir,  at  half  past  six,  he  descried 
two  vessels,  one  on  his  starl)oard  and  one  on  his  larboard  bow, 
and  hauled  for  that  which  was  farthest  to  windward.  At  seven, 
she  was  discovered  to  be  a  lirig  of  war,  making  signals  with 
flags  which  could  not  be  distinguished  owing  to  tlie  darkness, 
and  at  Iweniy-nine  minutes  j)ast  nine  she  was  under  the  lee 
bow  of  the  Was  J).  An  action  soon  after  commenced,  which 
lasted  until  ten  o'clock,  when  captain  IJlakely,  liiulinir  his  anta- 
gonist to  have  ceased  liring,  paused  and  asked  if  lie  had  sur- 
rendered. No  answer  being  returned,  he  commencetl  firing 
again  ;  and  the  enemy  returned  broadside  for  broadside  for  twelve 
miiuites.  Perceiving  that  his  two  last  broadsi(l(>s  were  not 
returned,  he  hailed  airain,  and  was  informed  that  she  was  sink- 
ing, and  that  her  colours  wttre  struck.  Hefore  the  boats  of  the 
Wasp  could  be  lowered,  a  second  brig  of  war  was  discovered :  the 
crew  were  instantly  sent  lo  their  ([uarters,  and  preparations  made 
for  another  enuagement,  when  two  other  brigs  appeared.  He 
now  made  sail,  and  endeavoured  to  draw  the  brig  first  discov- 
ered after  him,  but  without  elfect.  The  name  of  the  prize  was 
subsequently  ascertained  to  liave  been  the  Avon,  captain  Arbuth- 
not;  of  the  same  force  as  the  Reindeer.  She  sunk  immediately 
after  tlie  last  man  had  been  taken  out  of  her  into  one  of  the 
vessels  which  had  come  in  sight.  She  had  eiglit  killed;  and 
thirty-one  wounded,  including  her  captain  and  several  other 
officers. 

'J'he  Wasp  soon  repaired  the  damages  received  in  this  en- 
gagement, and  continued  her  cruise.  On  the  21st  of  Septem- 
ber, she  captured,  olf  the  Madeiras,  her  thirteenth  prize,  the 
British  brig  Atalanta,  of  eight  guns,  and  the  only  one  which 
she  sent  into  port.  The  return  of  this  vessel,  after  her  brilliant 
cruise,  was  i'or  a  long  time  fondly,  but  unavailingly,  looked  for 
by  our  country.  'J'iiere  is  little  doubt  that  the  brave  commander 
and  his  uallant  crew  Ibund  a  common  grave  in  the  waves  of  the 
ocean:  they  will  always  live  in  the  gratitude  and  recollection 
of  their  country. 

'I'he  blockade  of  commodore  Decatur's  squadron  at  New 
London  having  been  maintained  until  after  the  season  had 
passed  in  which  there  existed  any  prospect  of  escape,  the  ships 
of  which  it  was  composed  were  ordered  up  the  river  and  dis- 
mantled, while  the  commodore,  with  his  crew^,  was  transferred 
to  the  frigate  President,  then  at  New  York.  A  cruise  was 
projected  for  a  squadron  to  consist  of  the  President,  the  sloops 
of  Mar  Peacock  and  Hornet,  and  the  'J'om  Bowline  store  ship, 
under  the  command  of  commodore  Decatur.  As  the  enemy 
still  blockaded  New  York,  the  commodore  thought  it  safer  for 


iil' 


214 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


The  President  captured  by  a  IJritish  .Squadron. 


the  President  to  venture  oiitsin<rly  ;  and  after  ordering  the  other 
vessels  to  foUousand  apjiointiujia  ))lare  of  rendezvous,  he  sailed. 
In  eone;equeiice  of  tlu;  neii;lii(eiice  of  the  pilot,  the  President 
struek  u|)on  the  bar,  and  remained  there  thumjiinjr  for  two  iiours, 
by  which  her  ballast  was  deranged  and  her  trim  for  sailing 
entirely  lost.  'I'he  course  of  the  wind  preventing  his  return 
into  port,  lie  put  to  sea,  trusting  to  the  exccUenee  of  the  ves- 
sel. At  daylight  he  iell  in  with  a  liriiish  squadron,  con- 
sisting of  the  I'lndymion,  Tenedos  ami  i*omona  frigates,  and 
the  Majestic  razee.  In  spite  of  his  exertions  they  gained  upon 
him;  and  the  forcnnost,  the  Endymion,  getting  close  under  his 
quarters,  commenced  tiring.  The  commodore  determined  to 
bear  U])  and  engage  her,  with  the  intention  of  carrying  her 
by  boarding,  and  afterwards  escaping  in  her  and  abandoning 
his  own  ship.  In  this  he  was  prevented  by  the  raanoHivring 
of  the  enemy.  The  engagement  was  protracted  for  two  hours, 
and  ench.'d  in  reducing  the  J'hidymion  almost  to  a  wreck,  and 
killing  or  wounding  a  large  proportion  of  .her  crew.  Tiie  Presi- 
dent was  also  considerably  damaged,  and  lost  twenty-five  men  in 
killed  and  wounded  :  among  the  former,  lieutenants  iJabbit  and 
Hamilton,  and  actiiig  lieutenant  Howell;  among  the  latter,  mid- 
siiipman  Dale,  who  ai'tcn'wartls  died,  and  the  commodore  himself. 
'J'iie  s(|uailron  was  now  last  approacdiing,  and  the  gallant  com- 
modore, unwilling  to  sacrifice  the  lives  of  his  men  in  a  useless 
contest,  on  receiving  the  fire  of  the  nearest  frigate,  surrendered. 
He  was  taken  on  l)oard  the  Endymion,  for  the  purpose  of  acting 
the  miserable  farce  of  surrciulering  his  sword  to  the  oflicer  of  a 
frigate  which  would  have  fallen  in.to  his  hands,  l)ut  for  the  ap- 
proach of  an  overwhelming  force.  The  President  was  sent  to 
England  ;  and  in  order  to  satisfy  the  good  people  there  that 
she  was  a  seventy-four  in  disguise,  she  was  lightened,  and  laid 
in  dock  alongside  of  an  old  seventy-four,  which  had  been  dimin- 
ished to  appearance  by  being  deeply  laden. 

Not  the  least  among  the  exploits  of  our  naval  heroes,  was 
the  caj)ture  of  two  of  the  enemy's  ships  of  war  by  the  Consti- 
tution, captain  Stewart.  Having  sailed  from  Boston,  on  the 
17lh  of  December  1814,  on  a  cruise,  he  discovered,  on  the  20th 
of  Felnniary  1815,  two  ships;  one  of  which  bore  up  for  the 
Constitution,  but  soon  after  ciiangcd  her  course  *,o  join  her 
consort.  The  Constitution  gave  chase  to  both,  and  at  six  P.  M. 
ranged  ahead  of  the  slernmost,  brought  her  on  the  quarter  and 
her  consort  on  the  bow,  and  opened  a  broadside.  The  tire  was 
immediately  returned;  and  exchanges  of  broadsides  continued 
until  both  ships  were  enveloped  in  smoke.  When  it  cleared 
away,  the   Cou-stitution  finding  iierself  abreast  of  the  head- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


215 


;  the  other 
,  he  sailed. 

President 
wo  hours, 
for  sailing 
his  return 
ol'  the  ves- 
[Jron,  con- 
(^lUes,  and 
lined  upon 
I  under  his 
irniined  to 
rrying  iier 
ibandoning 
auffiuvring 
two  hours, 
wreck,  and 
'IMie  Presi- 
five  men  in 
iJahbit  and 
huter,  mid- 
ire  himself, 
dlant  com- 
n  a  useless 
irrendered. 
Hi  of  acting 
ollicer  of  a 
for  the  ap- 
vas  sent  to 

there  that 
3d,  and  laid 
)een  dimin- 

lerocs,  was 
the  Consti- 
on,  on  the 
on  the  20th 
uj)  for  the 
()  join  her 
It  six  P.  M. 
quarter  and 
Mie  tire  was 
;  continued 
11  it  cleared 
the  head- 


'J'lif  Cnnstitiition  I'liiratrt's  anil  raptiifs  tlu'  (.'yam-,  and  Levant. 

most  ship,  captain  Stewart  ordered  botli  sides  to  be  manned, 
backed  topsails,  and  dropj)cd  into  his  first  jxisition.  'J'he  ship 
on  the  bow  backed  sails  also.  The  ('onstitution's  broadsides 
were  then  lired  iVom  the  larboard  1,'attery:  and  in  a  few  mo- 
ments the  ship  on  the  bow,  per(!eiving  her  error  in  ircttin^ 
sternboanl,  tilled  away  with  the  intention  of  tackinii' athwart  tlm 
bows  of  the  Constitution.  Meanwhile  the  ship  on  the  stern  I'ell 
ofi' entirely  unrnanaireal)le.  'JMie  Constitution  now  pursued  the 
former,  and  coming  within  a  hundred  yards,  gave  her  several  rak- 
ing broadsides,  and  so  crippled  her  that  no  further  apprehen- 
sions were  entertaiiu;d  of  her  being  able  to  escape.  'i"he  cap- 
tain then  returned  to  the  latter,  from  which  a  gun  was  fired  to 
leeward,  to  siunify  that  she  had  surrendered  ;  and  took  j)os- 
session,  by  lieutenant  TloHman,  of  the  frigate  Cyane,  capiain 
Gordon  Falkon,  of  thirty-lour  carronade  guns.  Captain  Stew- 
art now  steered  in  j)ursuit  of  ihe  other  vessel  ;  and  alter  a  short 
resistance,  in  which  she  suflered  considerably,  she  struck,  with 
live  feet  water  in  her  iiold.  She  proved  to  be  the  sloop  of  war 
Levant,  captain  Douglass,  of  eighteen  thirty-two-pound  carron- 
ades.  'J'he  loss  on  board  the  two  shij)s  amounted  to  about  eigliiy 
in  killed  and  wounded  :  of  the  crew  of  the  Constitution  there 
were  only  four  killed  and  eleven  wounded  ;  and  the  ship  re- 
ceived but  a  very  trilling  injury.  On  the  lOth  of  .March,  captain 
Stewart  entered  the  harbour  of  Praya,  in  the  island  of  St  Jago, 
with  his  prizes;  and  on  the  lith,  a  Dritisli  s(iu:ulr(ui  of  two 
ships,  of  sixty  guns  each,  and  a  I'rigate,  appeared  oil"  the  entrance 
of  the  harbour.  Captain  Stewart,  having  iio  faith  in  his  secu- 
rity, although  in  a  neutral  port,  made  sail  with  one  of  his  prizes, 
the  Cyane,  and  though  clcsely  pursued,  hail  the  good  fortune 
to  escape  with  it  intt)  the  United  Slates.  The  Levant  was  r«-- 
captured  in  the  Porluizuese  harbour,  in  contempt  of  the  neutral- 
ity of  the  port  and  of  the  laws  of  nations. 

The  I'eacock,  Hornet  and  'I'ou'  Bowline  left  New  York  a 
few  days  aficr  the  J^resident.  not  knowing  of  her  capture.  On 
the  23d  of  January  1815,  the  Hornet,  captain  Hiddle,  parted 
company,  and  directed  her  course  to  'I'nstan  d'Acunha,  the 
place  id  rendezvous.  On  the  2;>d  of  ALirch  she  descried  the 
British  i)rig  Peni^uin,  captain  Dickenson,  of  einhteen  guiis  and 
a  twelve- pouuil  carronade,  to  tlie  southward  and  eastward  of 
thatisluul.  Captain  Bitldle  hove  to,  while  the  Penguin  bore 
down.  At  forty  minutes  past  one  P.  .M.,  ti\e  British  vessel  com- 
menced the  engagement.  'J'he  tiring  was  hotly  kejnupfor  lifleen 
minutes,  the  i\'nguin  gradually  neariiig  the  Hornet,  with  the 
intention  of  boarding.  Her  capiain  was  kilk'd  b}'  a  grape  shot 
before  he  saw  his  orders  executed ;  and  her  lieutenant,  on  whom 


■I 


210 


■■ 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


I    ; 


III 


1 


'J'Ik;  llorpit,  ('aptain  IJiddIc,  captures  tlic  IVnL'iiin. 

the  command  of  the  Penguin  then  devolvecl,  bore  her  up,  and 
running  her  bowsprit  between  tiie  main  and  mizzen  rigging  of 
the  Hornet,  diroctcil  his  crew  to  board.  His  men,  however, 
perceiving  the  boarders  of  tlio  Hornet  not  only  ready  to  receive 
them,  but  waiting  for  orders  to  spring  on  the  Penguin's  deck, 
refused  to  foMow  him.  At  this  moment  the  lieavy  swell  of  the 
sea  lifted  the  Hornet  ahead,  and  the  enemy's  bowsprit  carried 
away  her  miZiX'ii  shrouds  and  spanker  boom  ;  wiiilc  llie  Penguin 
hung  upon  the  Hornet'^  quarter  deck,  with  the  loss  of  lier 
foremast  aiul  bowsprit.  Her  commander  then  cried  out  that 
he  surreiulered.  Captain  IJiddle  had  ordered  his  men  to  cease 
firing,  when  a  man  in  the  enemy's  shrouds  wa.s  discovered 
taking  aim  at  him,  by  an  officer  ol'  the  Hornet,  who  called  to  him 
to  avoid  the  tire.  S(;arcely  had  he  changed  his  position,  when 
a  musket  ball  struck  him  in  the  neck,  and  wounded  him  severely. 
Two  marines  immediately  levelled  their  pieces  at  the  wretch, 
and  killed  him  before  he  brought  his  gun  from  his  shoulder. 
The  Penguin  had  by  that  tinie  got  clear  of  the  Hornet,  and 
the  latter  wore  round  to  give  the  enemy  a  broadside,  when 
they  a  second  time  cried  out  that  they  had  surrendered. 
It  was  with  the  greatest  difliculty  that  captain  rUUllc  could 
restrain  his  crew  from  discharging  the  broadside,  so  exasperat- 
ed were  they  at  the  conduct  of  tlie  enemy.  In  twenty-two 
minutes  after  die  commencement  of  the  action,  tlie  l-*engiiin  was 
taken  possession  of  by  lieutenant  Mayo,  of  tlie  Hornet.  Slie 
was  so  much  injured,  that  captain  Biddle  determined  on  tak- 
ing out  her  crew,  and  scuttling  her.  He  afterwards  sent  oil' 
his  prisoners  to  St  Salvador  by  the  Tom  Bowline  ;  by  which 
vessel,  and  the  l*eacock,  he  had  been  joined  on  the  25l!i  of  the 
month.  'J'lie  enemy  lost  fourteen  in  killed,  and  had  twtMity- 
eight  wounded  :  the  Hornet  one  killed,  and  eleven  wounded  ; 
among  t!ie  latter,  her  lieutenant,  Conner,  dangerously. 

Cajjtain  Biddle  was  compelled  to  part  from  the  Peacock  by 
tlie  appearance  of  a  British  siiipofthe  line,  and,  after  being 
closely  chased  for  several  days,  cllected  his  escape  into  St 
Salvador,  by  throwing  all  his  guns  but  one,  and  every  heavy 
article,  overboard.  The  news  ol'peace  soon  after  arrived  there. 
The  capture  of  the  Cyane,  the  JAMant  and  tlie  Penguin  took 
place  before  the  expiration  of  the  time  specified  by  tlie  second 
article  of  tiie  treaty. 

The  exploits  of  the  privateers  continued  to  rival  those  of 
our  national  vessels.  In  one  instance  the  enemy  was  comiielled 
to  pay  dearly  for  his  disregard  of  the  sanctuary  of  a  neutral 
port.  'J'he  privateer  Armstrong  lay  at  anchor  in  tiie  harbour 
of  Fayal,  when  a  British  squadron,  consisting  of  the  Carnation, 


iigi 


his 

to 

aiul 

wa^ 

llie 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


217 


er  up,  and 
rijr^ing  of 
,  however, 
to  receive 
uiii's  deck, 
well  of  the 
prit  carried 
lie  Penguin 
OSS  of  her 
3d  out  that 
en  to  cease 
ilisrovered 
idled  to  liim 
ition,  when 
m  severely, 
ibe  wretch, 
IS  shoulder, 
[ornet,   and 
Iside,  when 
urrendered. 
hUUc  could 
)  exasperat- 
twenty-two 
enguin  was 
)niet.     She 
lied  on  tak- 
rds  sent  oil" 
:  by  which 
2 5 ill  of  the 
lad  twenty- 
wounded  ; 

ly- 

Peacock  by 
after  being 
ape  into  St 
very  heavy 
rived  there. 
Miguin  took 
-  tiie  second 


Exploits  of  Privateers Capture  of  the  Anieriran  Privateer  Arinstri>n5. 

the  Planiagenel  and  the  Rota,  hove  in  sight.  Captain  Reid,of 
the  privateer,  discovt-ring  by  the  light  of  the  moon  that  the 
enemy  had  put  out  their  boats  and  were  ;  rcparing  to  attack 
him,  fjeared  lor  action,  and  moved  near  the  .short;.     Four  i)oats 


filled  with 


On  1 


hailed 


)iuiig  liailetl  ant 


leti  Willi  men  were  seen  approacliing.  K)n 
making  no  answer,  a  lirt;  was  opened  uj)on  tliem  I'loiPi  tht;  ship, 
which  soon  compelUtl  ilieiii  to  haul  oil'.  Captain  Reid  now 
preparetl  lor  a  imue  formidable  attack  ;  and  ancjiored  the 
privateer  a  cable's  lenifih  l'r(Uii  the  shore,  and  within  pistol  shot 
of  the  castle.  The  next  day  the  eneiny  sent  a  Ihiet  of  boats, 
supj)orled  by  the  Carnation,  wiiicli  ;-l(;ud  bel'ore  the  harbour, 
to  j)revent  the  escape  of  llie  privateer.  At  midiiiiilit  the  boats 
approached  a  sot.Hid  time,  to  the  iiuini)er  of  tweheor  j'oiirteen, 
and  manned  by  several  liiiiidrtMl  men.  They  were  suOered  to 
come  alongside  of  the  privaleer,  wluni  they  were  assailed  with 
such  iiemendoiis  fury,  thai  in  I'orty  minules  scaictdy  a  man  of 
liiem  V\'as  lel'l  alive.  l)uriii<r  these  attacks  llie. -chores  wtue  lined 
wiih  the  inhabitants,  who,  iVom  the  briglilness  of  the  moon, 
!iad  a  full  view  of  the  scene.  'J'he  governor,  with  the  first 
jieople  ol' ll;o  place,  stootl  f»y  ami  saw  the  wlude  allair.  After 
the  seciHid  attack,  the  go\i;rnor  sent  a  note  to  the  commander 
of  the  Plantageiu^t,  capitain  Lloyd,  re(|iiesliii^'  iiini  to  desist: 
to  wliirli  the  captain  replied,  lliat  he;  was  (.litermined  to  have 
the  privateer  al  the  risk  of  kiiockiiiy-  down  the  town.  The 
Amerit'an  consul  having  coninuiiiicaled  this  iiironnation  to  cap- 
lain  lieid,  he  ordered  his  crew  to  sa\e  their  elfecis,  and  carry 
the  dead  and  wt)inideil  on  shore  as  fast  as  possible.  At  day- 
light t!ie  Carnation  stood  close  to  the  Armstrong,  and  com- 
meiiced  a  heavy  tire;  but  being  considerai)ly  cut  up  by  the 
privateer,  she  liaiiled  oil'  to  repair.  On  her  re-appearance, 
captain  Keid,  thinking  it  useless  to  protract  the  contest,  scuttled 
his  vessel  and  escaped  to  land,  'i'he  15ritish  loss  amounted 
to  the  astonishing  ninnl)er  of  one  hundretl  and  twenty  killed, 
aiul  one  huinlretl  and  thi''  y  woundcil  :  that  of  the  Americans 
was  only  two  killed,  and  seven  woundeil.  Several  houses  in 
the  town  were  destroyed,  and  some  of  the  inhabitants  hurt. 


,al  those  of 
IS  compelled 
of  a  neutral 
tlic  harbour 
c  Carnation, 


218 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


I'lfui  «irc'iiiii|i!iitfn  on  tlie  Ciiniulii  Froniitr. 


CHAPTER  WII. 


I'liUi  (if  Cainpaisn  on  tin'  (";iri,iil;i  f'ruiilK  r— (icricral  llrciw  n  ('(illccts  an  Arin>  at 
Black  Itiii  k  aii'l  IJiiirald— Caiiiiircs  I'oil  Kric— Itattlr  <it  t 'lii|i|i('\va— (Jallaiitry  i.f  Majnr 
Jpsup — Hritisli  relroat — Ann  licaii  Army  ailvancrs— Ilcalli  (if  CtMU'ial  t^wift— .Mnvc- 
iiieiit  on  Fort  (Icorpe — UeiiiTuI  Urovvn  retreats  to  tiie  ('lii|i|ie\va — llatile  of  Niauara — 
(Jeiieral  Uiall  taken  I'risoner— Cdloiiel  .l(su|i~f'(i|(inel  Milli  r — Hrilisli  (.'aiinoii  iliarcecl 
upon  and  taken — Desperate  Jllliiris  of  the  liriii-^li  tu  regain  tlieir  Caninm — tJiiirrals 
Scotland  Hrown  wounded— Ilritish  retire  fnmi  tlie  Field— Hritisli  advance  aiiaih  the 
fiillowini:  MorniiiL' — Americans  retreat  to  I'mt  F.rii — Defences  of  Fort  l-^rie  ('nlartred 
and  extended — !?icj^o  of  Fort  l"<ii<' — Projcried  Attack  on  I'.ntfalo  repulsed— (ieiieral 
Gaines  assumes  the  Command  at  Fort  Frie — Assault  upon  Fort  Frie — Tremen<lous 
ExplositHi — 'l"l)e  Besiecers  (lri\('n  lj;ck  to  their  Works — 1{(  neual  of  the  Caiinonadt — 
Sortie  from  Fort  Frie — Destruciion  ol'  the  F,nem>"s  Works — Hritisli  raise  the  t^ietie 
an(<!  retreat  to  Fort  (ieorjie — Arrival  of  General  Izard  at  Fori  Frie — Americans  advam'C 
aloiiir  the  Niaijara — l-Uiratrement  at  Lyon's  ("reek— Deslrnclion  of  Fort  Frie  h.v  tin' 
Americans- Fvacualion  of  Fjiper  Canada — The  Army  retires  into  Winter  (inart.MS — 
Important  Results  of  the  Campaimi — Atl'airs  of  the  West— Unsuccestd'ul  Fxpedilion 
aijainst  Michilimackinac— Capture  of  two  Failed  States  Hchooners— General  M'Ar- 
thur's  Expedition  into  Canada. 

From  reviewing  the  events  of  the  war  on  the  ocean,  \vc  re- 
turn to  the  WAV  on  the  northern  frontier.  Not  to  he  without  a 
plan  ol' eanij):iign,  allhough  experience  iiail  already  i?ho\\n  how 
small  u  porlioii  ol"  plans  formed  in  the  raliinet,  and  tk'|)en(lini: 
upon  so  many  eontiiigeneies  not  suseeptihle  of  calculation, 
could  be  carried  into  execution,  the  following  was  adopted. 
Colonel  Croghan,  with  the  assistance  of  commodore  JSinrJair, 
was  to  proceed  against  the  British  on  the  upper  lakes,  with  a 
view  ol"  recovering  the  American  posts  of  .Michilimackinac  .iiui 
St  Joseph.  An  army,  under  general  IJrown,  now  raised  to  the 
rank  of  major-general,  was  lo  cross  the  Miagara  and  take  posses- 
sion of  Burlington  Heights;  and  afierwaids,  in  conjunction  with 
commodore  Chauncey,to  attack  the  British  posts  on  the  penin- 
sula. General  I/ard,  commanding  the  Northern  Army,  was  to 
push  a  number  of  armed  boats  into  the  St  liawrence,  so  as  to 
command  tlie  Rapids,  and  cut  oil"  the  communication  between 
Montreal  and  Kingston.  Batteries  were  also  lo  be  thrown  up  for 
the  purpose  of  protecting  the  American  lleet  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain,  and  to  prevent  that  of  the  British  from  entering  it.     The 


was 


\1!  ^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


219 


my 

iU  '.1 


(•♦■iicral  nrowii  rdllifi^  iin  Army ("aptiin-si  Foit  Kriu. 


Mil  Army  ni 
iilry  of  .Miijur 

Swift— Mi've- 
ofNiiiuiira— 
iiiioii  cliarui'il 

Kill — (M'lirrals 

UK  <■  aL'aiii  III*' 
Krii'  ciilarutil 

Iscd— (itiicral 

— 'I'rC!llt'lnl(lli> 

Caiiiioiiaili — 
aise  the  Siegf 

icaiis  ailvancf 
It  F.ric  l)>  111' 
iter  Uiiarf.'is— 
fill  ['xiicdilii'ii 
UeiK  lal   M'Ar- 


:'an,  we  rc- 
3  wiiliout  a 
ihown  how 
I  clcpt'iuliiiL'' 
faUnilation, 
IS  a(lo[itcil. 
re  yiriflair, 
\es,  with  a 
ickinac  and 
iiisecl  to  llie 
:ake  ptxsses- 
nctioii  with 
1  tlie  peniii- 
rniy,  was  to 
CO,  so  as  to 
on  between 
rown  up  for 
iuUe  Cliam- 
ig  it.     The 


greater  part  of  these  arranfremcnts  were  controlled  by  unfore- 
seen circunistanccs. 

Tlie  spring  jiassed  away  before  general  lirown  was  in  a 
situation  to  attempt  any  thing  against  the  IJritish  posts  on  the 
opposite  sideof  ilie  river;  even  Fort  Niagara,  on  this  side,  still 
remained  in  their  hands.  He  had,  however,  been  assickiously 
occupied,  with  Jiis  gaUant  ollicers  general  Scott  and  general 
Ripley,  in  collecting  and  disciplining  a  force  in  the  neighbour- 
iiood  of  JMack  Rock  and  iUilfalo.  Hy  the  beginning  of  July, 
this  consisted  of  two  briiiades  of  retrydars,  the  first  commanded 
by  brigadier-general  Scoit,  and  the  second  by  l)rigadier-gcneral 
Ripley  ;  and  a  brigade  of  volunteers,  with  a  lev;  Indians,  under 
generals  Forter  and  Swift.  In  the  meantime,  tlie  force  of  the 
enemy,  under  lieutenant-general  Druiumond,  had  been  greatly 
ini-reased,  by  the  addition  of  a  mind)er  of  veteran  reiriments, 
which,  since  the  j)acilicaiion  of  Europe,  Great  IJritain  had  been 
enabled  to  send  to  Canada. 

The  first  step  to  be  taken,  with  a  view  to  any  future  opera- 
tions against  Canada,  and  to  recover  the  possession  of  Fort 
Niagara,  was  the  capture  of  Fort  P^rie  ;  for  if  the  Americans 
were  possessed  of  this  post,  it  was  supposed  that  the  enemy  would 
evacuate  the  American  side  of  the  frontier,  and  besides,  that  this 
garrison  could  be  carried  with  more  ease  than  the  other,  from 
the  circumstance  of  an  attack  being  less  expected.  Fort  Erie 
was  at  that  time  commanded  by  captain  Buck,  with  about  one 
hundred  and  seventy  men.  'I'he  two  brigades  of  regulars,  in 
obedience  to  general  Brown's  orders,  embarked  on  the  morning 
of  the  3(1  of  .July.  General  Scott,  with  the  first,  and  a  detach- 
ment of  artillery  under  major  Hiiulman,  crossed  to  the  Canada 
shore,  about  a  mile  below  Fort  Erie,  and  general  Ripley,  with  the 
second  brigade,  at  about  the  same  distance  above;  while  a  party 
of  Indians,  who  had  also  crossed  over,  got  into  the  woods  in  the 
rear  of  the  fort.  'J'he  garrison,  being  taken  by  surprise,  and 
surrounded  before  the  movements  of  the  assailants  were  dis- 
covered, was  compelled  to  surrender  after  tiring  a  few  shot. 
Immediate  possession  was  taken  of  the  furt,  and  the  prisoners 
were  marched  into  the  interior  of  New  York. 

General  Brown  next  resolved   to  proceed   immediately  and 
attack  major-general   Riall,   wlio,   with  a  division   of   Britisk 
regulars,  occupied  an  intrenched  camp  at  Chippewa  ;  arrange- 
ments having  first  been  made  for  the  defence  of  the  fort,  and 
or  protecting  the  rear  of  the  army. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th,  general  Scott  advanced  with  his 
brigade  and  captain  Towson's  artillery;  and  was  followed  in 
the  course  of  the  day  by  general  Ripley,  and  the  field  and 


■■ . 


I 


1-5 


220 


BRACKENRIDGK'S 


lii 


? 


liattli.'  (il°('lii|i|M.'Wit. 


park  nrtilU'iy  iiiuler  miijor  Ilitulman,  togcllicr  witli  jfCMieral 
PorliM-'s  v(»liiiiU'(Ms.  'I'lic  army  wa.s  then  drawn  up  in  r«'<,nilar 
order  on  tin;  njiht  bank  of  Street's  ereek,  wiiliin  two  miles  of 
the  IJritish  eam|).  In  approaeliini^  to  this  post,  the  first  l)ri- 
gad(!  had  eneountered  tlie  advanci;  corps  of  the  (Miemy,  which 
retreated,  after  desiroyin<r  the  I)rid<f«'  over  the  ercM-k.  ("nptairi 
Crooker,  who  had  been  (hr(!(;ted  to  llank  them  on  the  hit,  had 
in  th(!  HK.'anlinM!  i'rossed  the;  stream  at  a  point  some  (hsianee 
above  the  briil^t!,  and  had  come  up  with  the  eiu^nty  whih'  the 
American  l)rijiaiU!  was  still  on  the  ri^hl  bank  of  the  creek.  'J'hc 
nritish  now  tnrneij  ii|)on  and  snrrounded  him  ;  hut  he  (h-fendc;! 
jiimsclf  in  so  irall.ml  a  manner,  thai  he  v/as  en;il)lc(|  to  kei'[) 
them  olf,  until  captains  Hull  and  Harrison,  and  lieutenant  Wan- 
(h)lph,  with  a  small  party  of  men  who  liad  been  hastily  thrown 
across  {\]{\  sireant.  eanu^  to  his  relief. 

Tlu!  army  remained  in  this  position  until  the  iu!Xt  day, 
wlien,  early  in  the  morninjj,  the  Hritish  comiuenceil  attacks 
upon  the  picket  <riuirds  surroundinir  it.  Oim  of  these,  eom- 
niandcd  by  captain  Trt-at,  was  suddenly  Ih'cd  upon  by  a  party 
coiu'cale'd  in  somchiiih  ^rass  ;  one  man  lell,  and  the  rear  broke 
and  retreated.  'J'lie  exertions  of  the  captain  to  rally  them  w(!re 
mistaken  for  cowarilice,  and  he  was  strijiped  of  his  command. 
Bcinir  resolved  to  do  away  the  itiiputation,  he  requested  to  eii- 
gajre  in  the  approachin<r  battle  as  a  volunteer,  and  was  accord- 
ingly directed  to  lead  a  platoon  of  the  same  company  w  liicli 
he  had  just  conunandtul  into  action.  He  was  afterwards  tried 
and  honourably  aiMpiitted.  These  assaults  eontimit'd  throuirh- 
out  the  urealer  part  of  the  Jay.  CJeneral  Hi;ill,  pcrc(Mvinir  that 
an  enir;i<rement  was  uiuivoidable,  now  resolv(>d  to  striki;  the 
first  blow  ;  he  therefore  issued  I'roin  his  eiuMmpmenl  with  his 
whole  I'orce,  and,  erossinir  the  Chippewa  creek,  soon  ajipeared 
with  the  main  body  on  the  left  haul;  ol"  Street's  creek.  He  had 
previously  sent  ti  considerable  body  of  troops  into  a  wood  on 
the  left  of  lilt!  Anu'rican  cam|),  for  the  purpose  of  turning  their 
flank.  'I'he  movement  in  the  wood  was  discovered  early 
enouirh  to  frustrate  it;  and  general  Porter,  with  the  volunteers 
and  Indians,  alun*  a  sharp  conllict,  comj)elled  the  enemy's  right 
to  retire.  While  in  pursuit  of  it  (Ui  tlu;  Chippewa  road,  he  came 
suddeidv  in  contact  with  the  main  body  of  the  Hritish.  'I'he 
vohmteers  were  now  severely  pressed  by  troops  greatly  supe- 
rior in  numbers  and  discipline.  Ceneral  Brown,  jjcrceiving 
this,  ordered  Scott's  brigade  and  'J'owson's  artillery  to  advance, 
and  draw  the  enemy  into  action  on  the  plains  of  (Jhippewa. 
This  was  eiVected  immediately  on  crossing  the  bridge. 

The  first  battalion,  under  major  Leaveinvortii,  took  a  position 


groiin 
lied 
to  be 
In 
cerne 
comn 
the  fi 
l)reve 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


221 


Iliittlc  (iff'hipiM'wn.. 


.Ciillantry  (if  Major  Jchiiii. 


1  rciiiilar 

miles  of 

irsi   l)i-i- 

V,  wliifli 

Captain 

lit'i,  had 

(lislancc 

vliili'  tli(- 

A.     The 

Ict'cndotl 

to  kcf'p 

iMiit  Wan- 

y  throsvn 

loxt   (lay, 
at  tack  ^ 
',  com- 
y  a  p:irty 
car  broke 
hcin  \v(!re 
MMiuiiaiul. 
led  to  (Mi- 
lls accord- 
iiiy  which 
ai'ds  tried 
1  lhrouLi,h- 
:iviiiir  that 
strik<j   tlic 
I  with   lii.c 
appearinl 
.      lie  had 
I  wood  on 
iiiii^  their 
■red    early 
vojiiiitcers 
luy's  rijL^ht 
d,  he  came 
ish.     The 
'ally  siipe- 
perceiving 
o  advance, 
Jhippewa. 

.  a  position 


on  the  rijjlit  ;  and  the  second  was  led  to  its  station  by  colonel 
('ainphell,  who,  on  lieiiiL''  woniidcd  shortly  al'lcrwards,  was 
sticce(!{led  by  major  MWeill.  Major  .lesiip,  a  L'allant  ynnn^ 
ollicer,  who  commanded  the  third  battalion,  whi'dj  was  lormed 
on  the  left,  resiinir  in  a  wood,  was  ordered  to  turn  the  rijrht 
llank  of  the  iiritish,  then  steadily  advancin<,Mipon  tlu;  Anuirican 
line.  Whilst  warndy  cngaLTcd  in  this  service,  he  was  com- 
l>elled  to  (lela(di  caj)tain  Ketchiim,  to  attack  some  troops 
<*oniin<^  lip  to  the  assistance  of  the  body  with  which  the  third 
lialtalion  was  engaj^cul.  The  major,  havins;  cleared  his  front, 
moved  to  the  relief  of  his  captain,  who  had  maintidned  an  iin- 
eqnal  contest  aijrainst  superior  numbers.  lie  had  not  accom- 
plished this  until  after  a  severe  struirnle  :  beinjr  closely  pressed 
in  front  and  llank,  and  his  men  iV.llinirin  immbers  around  him, 
he  had  deliberately  jriven  orders  to  advance,  under  a  dreadful  (ire  ; 
until,  gaining  a  position  of  more  security,  he  com|)elled  the 
enemy  to  retire,  and  came  up  in  lime  to  co-operate  with  captain 
Ketchnm's  detachment.  'I'he  admirable  coolness  and  intrepi- 
dity of  his  corj.s  were  worthy  of  veterans,  and  proved  the  great 
progress  the  Americans  had  made  in  discipline.  The  battalion 
on  the  American  right,  under  major  lieavenworth,  was  not  only 
engaged  with  the  IJritish  infantry,  but  often  exposed  to  the  fire 
of  their  batteries.  One  of  its  ollicers,  captain  Harrison,  had 
his  leg  shot  olf  by  a  cannon  ball;  bu  so  doubtfid  did  he  con- 
sider the  contest,  that  he  would  not  suffer  a  man  to  be  taken 
from  his  duty  to  bear  him  frotTi  the  Held,  and  stipported  the 
torture  of  his  wound  until  the  action  ceased.  After  the  lapse 
of  an  hour  from  the  time  the  action  became  general,  captain 
Towson  having  completely  silenced  the  enemy's  most  power- 
ful battery,  now  turned  upon  their  infantry  at  that  moment  ad- 
vancing to  a  charofe.  'i'he  lire  from  'I'owson's  artillery,  which 
poured  upon  them  ;  the  ol)lique  discharges  of  a  part  of  M'Neill's 
battalion,  which  was  so  posted  as  lo  assail  both  in  front  and 
flank  ;  the  steadiness  of  the  two  battalions  ;  ami  the  apparent 
issue  of  the  contest  on  his  right  llank  with  major  .Tesup,  com- 
pelled general  Riall  to  retire,  until  he  reached  the  sloping 
ground  which  led  to  (Miippewa.  From  this  point  the  British 
lied  in  confusion  to  their  intrenchments,  which  were  too  strong 
to  be  assailed. 

In  this  engagement  ireneral  Ripley's  brigade  was  not  con- 
cerned. He  had  proposed  to  the  commander-in-chief,  at  the 
commencement  of  the  action,  to  take  a  position  to  the  left  of 
the  first  brigade,  and  passing  it,  to  turn  the  enemy's  right,  and 
prevent  his  retreat  to  Chippewa.     At  that  time  general  Brown 


m 


222 


nRACKENRIDGE'S 


llritlMli  rctrvnt  lo  Ten  Mile  Creek Ami-rlenn  Army  iiilvniinM. 

declined  his  proposal  ;  hut  aflcrwards,  wlioii  tlie  Hrilisli  l)r£ran 
to  rclirc,  lie  (lircctj'd  liiin  to  jxit  his  plnii  in  rxt'ciilioii.  'I'he 
prrci|)iiiilioii  ofihiir  iiiovcmoiits  however  rnislraicd  it. 

The  rcsiill  of  this  lirst  rcjridiir  ()il('ht'd  l)atilc  fiiriiished  cnnvin- 
rinir  proof,  that  iiothint{  l)»it  discipliiu!  was  waiitiiitr  to  uivc  lo  our 
soidicTs  on  land  the  same  (^xi'elh'iicc  which  our  seamen  had 
discoverfMl  on  lln-  ocean.  'I'hc  I»aitl(!  was  lon<:!it  with  threat 
jud^^nient  and  coolness  on  both  siiles,and  ils  resnil,  considering 
th(!  nnndjers  entrajjed,  was  cxccedinLdy  sanLniitniry.  'J'he  loss 
of  the  Americans  in  kilh.-d,  wounded  and  niissinij,  amoiii'ted  to 
three  hnndred  and  lliiriy-eiLdii.  AnKMiijf  the  woun(hMl  were, 
colonel  (Jan'phcll  ;  captains  Kim:,  oi'  the  'rwenty-lhird.  liead, 
of  the  Tweiiiy-lilih,  Harrison,  <d  the  Forty-second  :  lie\itenants 
Tahner  and  Hriinhall,  of  the  Ninili,  Barron,  of  the  I'.h  \enth, 
and  {)(!  Wiiand  Palchim,  ol'thi;  'rwenty-lilih.  The  in;  d  loss 
(){'  the  British,  accordin;:  to  the  report  of  ircneral  Dmnimond, 
was  live  hundred  and  live,  ol' whom  lnrty-six  were  niissini:,  and 
the  remaiiuler  either  killed  or  wctnnded.  Ainoni;  the  wounded 
wcr(;,  seven  captains, scvcnteiMi  licnlcnantSjCajUain  Holland  aid 
to  ireneral  Jiiall,  licnlrnant-colonel  tlie  niarrpiis  ot"  Tweeddale 
and  lienlenanls-colonel  (Jordon  and  Dickson.  l'\iu'  occurren- 
ces durin<r  the  war  alVordt'd  a  more  lively  irratihcation  to  the 
people.  The  most  hononrahlc  testimonials  of  approhatioii 
were  hcsiowed  upon  the  principil  ollicers  conccMiied  :  the 
br(!vel  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  was  conferred  n|K)n  majors 
,Tesup,  Leavenworth  and  MWeill;  and  of  niap)r  on  captains 
Towson,  drookcn*  and  Harrison.  Several  other  ollicers  were 
named  as  having  distiuiruished  themstdves:  among  these,  major 
Wood  of  the  en;:'iu!ers,  c,'i>tain  Harris  of  tlu;  dragoons,  and 
lioutenant  .M'iionald,  ac(iuiiied  themselves  with  much  credit. 

The  defeat  of  Kiall  having  hcen  coinmiuiicated  to  lieutenant 
general  Drmniiiond,  lie  sent  a  rei;iinent  to  reinforce  him,  and 
enable  him  to  repel  any  attack  upon  his  works.  (ien(U*al 
Rrown  meanwhile  remained  at  hi.-  encampment,  determined  to 
dislodge  the  British.  As  the  most  ellectual  mode,  he  (hUached 
general  Hipley,  on  the  8tli  of  the  month,  tea  point  three  miles 
above  tlu;  enemy's  camp,  to  open  a  road  to  the  (;hij)pewa 
river,  and  to  construi'l  a  bridge  ovtc  it  for  the  passage  of  the 
troops.  This  order  was  exet'uted  uith  so  much  secrecy,  that 
the  bridue  Avas  nearly  completed  before  it  was  discovered  by 
the  enemy.  General  Riall  now  ordered  his  artillery  to  ativance 
and  jirevent  the  Americans  from  eomplrtinix  their  works  ;  but 
the  cannon  of  general  Ripley  compelled  the  IJritish  to  retire. 
Fearing  an  attack  on  his  right  Hank  and  in  front,  general 
Riall  soon  after  abandoned  his  works,  which  were  occupied  by 


IllSTOHV  OF  THE  WAR. 


223 


unrt-H. 

isli  UvfTwn 
.11.  The 
t. 

(1  onnvin- 
fivc  ti)  our 
linen  Inid 
iiili  ifri'iit 
)nsi(lrrin|r 
riw  loss 
r)ll!'1f'(l  to 

IimI  wfiro, 
ird.  Uoad, 
K'liW'iiaiits 
I'.li  venlh, 
'  lo;  il  loss 
riinimond, 
ssinr--,  and 
'  udtinded 
(ill.'ind  aid 
'ucrddalo 
o('<-iiiT(3n- 
oii  lo  the 
iprobatiou 
lU'd  :  tho 
111  majors 
\  rajjlains 
ctM'.s  were 
cs{',  major 
[•oiuis,  aiul 

1  credit.. 

ieiitoiiant 

him,  and 
(ieiKU'al 
:^rmined  to 
)  (l(;tachfid 
irec  miles 
(Miippewa 
aire  (){'  the 

reey,  that 
Dvered  by 
to  advance 
ovks  :  Iiul 
I  to  retire, 
t,  «r(.|ieral 
ecu  pied  by 


Dcnih  orticnmil  Hwil'l 4itMii'r;il  llniu  ti  rclmiiii  in  (In  riiipiiiwn. 


ijenoral  Hrown  liialevcMiiiiLN  and  lell  back  on  (iiujcnslown.     On 
the  followinL'  day  lie  retired  to  Ten  Mile  i  reek. 

TheAinencan  army,  movinir  forward,  eiicamped  at  lineen«i- 
town.  (Jeiieral  Swift,  at  his  own  re(Hiesi,  was  now  detached 
with  one  linndred  and  twenty  nten,  lo  reeonnoiier  tho  enemy's 
works  at  I'orl  (M-orire.  On  his  arrival  in  the  iieiLdilxMirhood,  Iw 
surprised  an  outpost,  and  took  prisoners  a  enrporal  and  his  ;.Miard. 
One  of  these,  after  havin^f  asked  and  received  (jiiarter,  Middrnly 
raised  his  picee,  and  wounded  Swift  mortally.  The  general 
instantly  killed  the  assassin;  and  on  the  ap|)roaeli  of  a  party  «)f 
tho  enemy  bronirht  up  I)y  the  firiiiir  of  the  sulilier,  he  eontimied, 
regardless  ot  his  wound,  to  liLdit  at  the  head  of  his  dei;ic|iment 
until  till!  enemy  was  ri^pnlsed.  This  iralhmt  ollierr  died  soon 
aft(!r  he  was  brotif^hl  lo  (;amp,  and  was  interred  with  all  the 
hononrs  tin;  armv  eonid  bestow.  I'ehadheen  a  disiiiiirnished 
soldier  ol'  the  ri'volntion  ;  and  his  loss  w  as  sincerely  re;:reitcd. 

The  question  as  to  the  step  next  t(»  be  taken — whether  to 
follow  lip  tin;  enemy  rajiidly  and  annihilate  his  force,  or  lirst 
lo  attack  Forts  Nia]L![ara  and  (Jeorife — was  submitted  by  i^eneral 
IJrowii  to  a  council  of  war.  Tiu;  latter  was  resolved  ii|)o!i. 
Preparatory  to  this,  jreneral  Kipley  and  general  Pcjrter  were 
ordered  lo  reccmnoiter  the  forts — the  oiu;  aloiiir  the  JNiajrara, 
the  other  by  the  way  of  St  David's,  for  the  pur[)ose  of  ascer- 
tainitiir  their  respective  situations  and  obtaiiiiiiL'' other  informa- 
tion necessary  for  the  attack.  This  serviec  they  successfully 
performed,  allhoiii>li  much  exposed  to  the  lir»;  of  the  j;arrison  of 
Fort  George,  and  assailed  by  skirmishintr  jiarties  sent  out  from 
thence.  The  plan,  how<'ver,  was  ahaiuhmed,  in  consequence,  as 
was  alleorod  by  u'cneral  IJrown,  of  the  lailinu;  of  the  licet  to 
co-operate  with  him,  commodore  Chauncey  beiiiir  at  this  time 
extremely  ill.  The  jreneral  therefore,  withdrawiiiir  from  the  ad- 
vanced position  to  which  he  jiad  moved  on  tin;  Niatrara  and  liake 
Ontario,  pre[)ared  to  |uirsiie  the  British  army  U)  iHirliiiiitoti 
Heifrhis  ;  and,  with  a  view  to  this,  on  the  2ltli  he  fell  back  to 
the  junction  of  the  ('hippewa  with  the  JNiauara. 

liieutenant-general  Drummond,  mortitied  that  his  veteran 
troops  should  have  been  beaten  by  what  he  considered  raw 
Americans,  was  anxious  for  an  opportunity  of  retrievintr  his 
credit.  He  had  colle(rted  every  rejriment  from  lJurlin<rton  and 
York,  and  the  lake  being  free,  had  been  able  to  transport  troops 
Irom  Fort  George,  ICingston  and  even  Pres(!ott.  (ieneral  J^iall 
took  post  at  (iueeiislown,  immediately  after  it  was  abandoned 
by  the  Americans  in  their  retreat  to  Chippewa  ;  thence  lie  threw 
a  strong  detachment  across  the  Niagara  to  Lewistown,  to 
threaten  the  town  of  Schlosser,  which  contained  the  supplies  of 


1:1 


H 


224 


URACKENRIDGE'S 


Hattli!  (if  N'i.'iL'ar.-i. 


general  IJrown,  and  also  his  sick  and  wounded  ;  and  altlie  same 
time  despatched  a  party  in  advance  of  him  on  the  NiaiJ^ara  road. 
With  the  view  of  drawiiuj  oil"  the  enemy  from  his  alK^mpt  on 
the  vilhii^c  across  the  river,  general  Brown,  liavini^  no  means  of 
Iransporlinf^  troops  to  its  defence,  directed  general  Scott  to 
move  towanls  (^iiecnstown  with  his  l)rigade,  seven  hundred 
strong,  together  with  Towson's  artillery  and  one  troop  of  dra- 
goons and  mounted  men.  At  four  o'clock  in  the  afwrnoon  of  the 
25th,  general  Scott  led  his  brigade  from  the  camp,  and  after  pro- 
ceeding alonsr  the  Niagara  about  two  miles  and  a  half  from  the 
("Idppewa,  and  within  a  short  distance  of  the  cataracts,  discover- 
ed general  liiall  on  an  eminence  near  liUndy's  Lane,  a  position  of 
great  slrengiii,  where  he  had  planted  a  battery  of  nine  j)ieces  of 
artillery,  two  of  which  were  brass  twenty-four  j)ounders.  On 
reaciiing  a  narrow  strip  of  voods  which  intervened  between  the 
Americ-ans  and  the  Uritish  line,  caj)1ains  Harris  and  Pentlaud, 
whose  comi)anies  formed  a  part  of  the  advance,  ami  were  llrst 
lired  on,  gallantly  engaged  the  enemy.  The  latter  now  retreated 
I  n*  the  purpose  of  drawing  llie  American  column  to  the  post 
at  Lundy's  I>ane.  General  Scott  resolutely  pressed  forward, 
after  despatching  major  Jones  to  the  commander-in-chief  witli 
intelligence  that  he  had  come  up  with  the  enemy.  He  had  no 
sooner  cleared  the  wooil,  and  formed  in  line  on  a  plain  finely 
adapted  to  military  manncevres,  than  a  tremendous  cannonade 
commenced  from  the  enemy's  battery,  situatcnl  on  their  right, 
which  was  returneil  by  captain  Towson,  whose  artillery  were 
posted  opposite,  and  on  the  left  of  the  American  line,  but  with- 
out being  able  to  bring  his  pieces  to  bear  on  the  eminence. 
TheaiHion  was  continued  (or  an  hour,  against  a  force  three  times 
tliatof  the  American  brigade.  The  Eleventh  and  Twenty-second 
regiments  having  expended  their  ammunition,  colonel  Hrady  and 
lieutenant-colonel  M'Neill  being  both  severely  wounded,  and 
nearly  all  the  other  ollicers  either  killed  or  wounded,  they  were 
wiliidrawn  from  action.  Lieutenant  Crawtord,  lieutenantSaw- 
yer,  and  a  few  other  ollicers  of  those  regiments,  attached  them- 
selves to  tliG  Ninth,  in  such  stations  as  were  assigned  them.  This 
regiment,  under  its  gallant  leader  lieutenant-colonel  Leaven- 
worth, was  now  obliged  to  maintain  the  whole  brunt  of  the  ac- 
tion. Order  .1  had  been  given  him  to  advance  and  charge  on  the 
height,  and  vvuh  the  Eleventh  and  'I'wenty-sei'ond  regiments 
to  break  the  enemy's  line;  but,  on  information  iieing  commu- 
nicated to  general  Scotl  of  the  shattered  condition  of  the  latter, 
the  order  was  countermanded.  Colonel  Jesup,  at  the  com- 
mencement of  the  action,  had  been  detached,  with  the  Twenty- 
lifih  regiment,  to  attack  the  left  of  the  enemv's  line. 


HISTORY   OF  THE  WAR. 


225 


t  tlie  same 
•lara  road. 
ilU(:nj)t  on 
)  means  of 
il  Scott   to 
1  hundred 
lop  ot  dra- 
lonn  of  lliG 
1  after  pro- 
f  from  the 
1,  (hscover- 
position  of 
[\  pieces  of 
ders.     On 
[Mween  the 
Penlhmd, 
were  first 
w  retreated 
3  the  post 
(1  forward, 
■chief  witli 
He  had  no 
)htin  finely 
cannonade 
their  ris^ht, 
iHery  were 
,  hut  with- 
eminonce. 
three  times 
inty-second 
I  Mrady  and 
unded,  and 
,  they  were 
tenant  Saw- 
ched  thein- 
hem.  This 
lel  licaven- 
,t  of  the  ac- 
arsie  on  the 


H;itlle  of  Xiat'iira. 


.(Iciifriil  Hi, ill  lakfii  Prisoner. 


1  rejjiments 
n'T  commu- 
f  the  hitter, 
t  the  corn- 
he  Twenty- 


Tlie  IJritish  now  pressed  forward  on  the  Ninth  rcLMment,  which 
with  wondeifiil  firmness  withstood  ilu;  atlack  of  their  over- 
wliehniiiiT  numbers.  Heiinr  reihiced  at  hMi^nh  lo  not  more  than 
one  half,  and  heiiiir  compelhnl  at  every  moment  to  resist  fresh 
lines  of  the  llriiish,  colonel  lieaveiiwoilh  dcspaichcMl  a  mes'-cn- 
ger  to  <reneral  Scott,  to  communi(;ate  its  contlition.  The  (gen- 
eral rock;  up  in  person,  roused  the  lla'juinu'  spirits  of  the  brave 
men  with  the  j)leasiiiu  iiil(dli<ience  that  reinforcements  were 
expected  every  moment,  and  besoiiLdit  them  to  hold  theiruroimd. 
Lieutenant  Riddle,  already  well  known  as  a  recomuiitering 
oHicer,  was  tlit;  first  to  come  to  their  assistance,  havin<r  been 
drawn  to  the  |)lace  bv  the  sound  ol'  ilu-  cannon,  while  on  a  scour- 
ing expedition  in  the  nei!^lil)ouri!it;"  conntry.  The  sa.me  cir- 
e.umstance  advised  <re:ieral  Hrown  of  the  coniinencement of  the 
action,  and  induced  him  to  i)incecd  rajtidly  lo  the  scene  after 
giviuL''  orders  to  jreneial  Riplcv  to  loilow  wiili  the  s<'C()n(l  bri- 
gade. He  was  alread}' oil  his  way  w  in  n  he  met  major  .lones, 
and,  iniluenced  by  his  cominunicalioii,  he  despatchnl  him  to 
l)rin}»'  Uj)  i^eiu'ral  Porter's  vohinieers,  together  witii  the  artillery. 

The  situation  of  Scott's  brmade  was  every  moment  becoming 
more  critical.  Misled  bv  the  obstinacy  of  tlicir  rer^istance, 
general  JJiall  overrat(!d  their  force  ;  and  despatched  a  messen- 
ger to  general  Drummond,  at  l"'ort  (ieor<i:(\  i'or  reinforcements, 
notwiihsiaiuling  that  the  number  eimaucd  on  bis  side,  thus  far, 
had  been  more  than  double  tliatt,!' the  Americans.  During  the 
period  that  both  armies  were  waitiiii,'-  for  reinforcements,  a 
voluntary  cessation  from  combat  ensued  ;  and  for  a  time  no 
sound  broke  up(Mi  tin;  stillness  of  the  ni^lit.  but  the  groans  of 
tlie  woiindetl,  miniiliiiir  with  the  distant  tliuiider  of  the  cata- 
ract of  i\'ia<rara.  The  silence  was  (uice  inori.'  iiilernipieil,  and 
the  en<>a<jement  reiujwed  with  auirnicnied  viiiour,  on  the  arrival 
of  general  Rijiley's  briii-ade,  major  lliiulinnirs  artillery,  and  iren- 
oral  I'orter's  volunteers,  and  at  the  sa-ne  time  uf  |ientt!iiant-gen- 
eral  Drummond  with  reinforcriiienis  to  the  I'riiish.  The  artil- 
lery were  united  to  Towson's  detachmeiit,  and  soon  came  into 
action  ;  I'orter's  briijadc^  was  displayed  on  the  left,  and  Kipley's 
formed  on  the  skirls  (jf  the  wood  to  the  runt,  of  Scott's  britrade. 
General  Drummond  took  the  command  in  person  of  the  front 
line  of  the  enemy  with  his  fresh  troops. 

In  the  meantime,  colonel  .lesup,  who,  as  before  mentioned,  liad 
l)cen  ordered,  at  the  comimmcement  of  the  action,  to  take  post 
on  the  right,  had  succeeded  duriiii>  tin;  engagement,  altera  i^allant 
contest,  in  turning  the  left  Hank  of  the  eiuuny.  'I'aking  advantage 
of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  and  the  carelessness  of  the  enemy 
in  omitting  to  place  a  proper  guard  across  a  road  on  his  Icl'l,  ho 


*■     I 


HI 


o. 


20 


BRACKENRIOGE'S 


Itattle  of  Niacrara. 


.Culunel  Jesup Culunel  Miller. 


th 


ircw  Ins  regiment  in  the  rear  o 


)f  the 


ir  reserve  ;  and  surprising 


one  clctuchincnt  after  another,  made   prisoners  of  so   many  of 
tlieir   oflicers    and 


tliat   liis   pro 


irress    was    jjrea 


tlv 


im- 


iicers  and  men,  inai  lus 
peded  by  it.  'I'lie  laws  of  war  would  have  justitied  him  in 
pnttin<r  ihem  to  death;  "but  the  laurel,  in  his  opinion,  was 
most  glorious  when  entwined  by  the  hand  of  mcrc\',"  and  he 
g(Mien)usly  j^pared  them.  One  of  his  oflicers,  eai)tain  Ketrhum, 
who  had  already  distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of  (Jhip- 
pewa,  had  the  good  fortune  to  make  prisoner  of  general  Riall, 
who,  on  the  arrival  of  general  Drummond,  had  been  assigned 
to  the  command  of  the  reserve,  and  also  of  captain  lioring, 
the  aid  of  general  Drummond.  The  latter  was  a  most  fortunate 
circumstance,  as  it  prevented  the  concentration  of  the  IJritish 
forces  contemplated  by  that  ollicer,  before  the  Americans  were 
prepared  for  his  receptioji.  After  hastilv  disposinn'  of  his  pri- 
soners, colonel  .lesup  felt  his  way  through  the  darkness  to  the 
place  where  the  hottest  fire  was  kept  up  on  the  brigade  to  which 
lie  belonged;  and  drawing  up  his  regiment  behind  a  fcMice,  on 
one  side  of  the  C^ueenstown  road,  l)ut  in  the  rear  of  a  party  of 
British  infantry,  posted  on  the  opposite  side  o'"  the  same  road, 
he  surprised  them  bv  a  lire  so  destructive,  that  they  instantly 
broke  and  fled.  "The  major,"  said  jjeneral  Brown,  "showed 
himself  to  his  own  army  in  a  blaze  of  lire."  He  received  the 
applause  of  the  general,  and  was  ordered  to  form  on  the  right 
of  the  second  brigade. 

General  Ripley,  seeingthe  impracticability  of  operating  upon 
the  enemy  from  the  place  at  which  he  had  i)een  ordered  to  post 
his  brigaile,  or  of  advancing  from  it  in  line  thronirh  a  thick 
wood,  in  the  impenetrable  darkness  of  the  night,  determined, 
with  that  rapid  decision  which  characterizes  l!ie  real  commander, 
to  adopt  tlu;  only  measure  by  which  he  saw  a  hope  of  saving 
the  first  brigade  iVom  destruction,  or  of  ultimately  achieving  the 
victory  ;  and  which,  when  made  kiiov.  n  to  the  commander-in- 
chief,  was  instantly  sanctioned,  'i'he  eminence  occupied  iiy  the 
enemy's  artillery  was  the  key  to  their  position.  Addressing 
himself  to  colonel  Miller,  the  same  who  had  distinsruished  him- 
self at  Magsigiia,  he  inipiired  whether  he  could  storm  the  battery 
atthehead  of  thcTwenty-tirst  reiriment,  while  he  would  himself 
support  him  with  the  younger  regiment,  the  Twenty-third.  To 
this  the  wary,  but  intrepid  veteran  replied,  in  unallected  phrase, 
I  WILL  THY,  SIR  ;  words,  which  were  afterwards  \  orn  on  the 
buttons  of  his  regiment;  and  imiuediaiely  prepared  for  the 
arduous  effort,  by  j)lacitig  himself  directly  in  front  of  the  hill. 
The  Twenty-third  was  formed  in  close  eoliinin,  by  its  com- 
mander, major  M'Farland  ;  and  the  First  regiment,  luider  co- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


097 


Hit. 


surprising 
»   many  of 
•eatly    im- 
^(l  him  in 
iiiion,  was 
,"  and   he 
Kctclium, 
3  of  Chip- 
eral  Riall, 
1  assitrned 
in   lioring, 
I  I'ortunaie 
the  British 
ii'iins  were 
of  his  pri- 
ncss  to  the 
le  to  which 
a  fence,  on 
'  a  party  of 
same  road, 
y  instantly 
"showed 
iceived  the 
n  the  right 

ating  upon 
red  to  post 
iirh  a  thick 
(Mcrmined, 
ommander, 
3  of  saving 
hieviiig  the 
niander-in- 
|)ic(l  by  the 
A(i(h'essing 
lishcd  him- 
thc  l)alterv 
iild  himself 
third.  To 
•led  phrase, 
;)rn  on  the 
t'd  for  tlie 
)f  tlie  hill. 
)V  its  com- 
l,  under  co- 


Bat  tk-  (if  Niaeara British  Cannon  charct'd  upon  and  takfn. 

lonel  Nicliolas,   which  had  that  day  arrived   from  a  long  and 
fatiguing  march,  was  left  to  keep  the  infantry  in  check.     'J'lic 
two    regiments    moved  on  to  one  of  the  most  j)erilous  charges 
ever  attempted  ;   the  whole  of  the  artillery,  supported  by  the 
fire  of  a  powerful  line  of  infantry,  pouring  iij)on  them  as  they 
advanced.     The  Twenty-lirst  moved  on  steadily  to  its  purpose  : 
the  Twenty-third   faltered  on   receiving  the  deadly  lire  of  the 
enemy,  but  was  soon  rallied  by  the  personal  exertions  of  gen- 
eral  Ripley.      When  within   a  hundred  yards  of  the  summit, 
they    received   another    dreadful    discjiarge,   by    which    major 
M'Farland  was  killed,  and  ilie  command  of  his  rciriment  de- 
volved on  major  lirooks.     To  the  amazement  of  the  British, 
the  intrejiid  ^Miller  firmly  advanced,  until  within   a  few   ]);ices 
of  liieir  cannon,  when  he  impetuously  charged  upon  the  artille- 
rists, and  after  a  s'lorl  but  desperate  resistance,  carricHJ  the  whole 
battery,  and  formed  his  line  in  its  rear,  upon  the  ground   i>re- 
viously   occupied   by  the    British    infantry.      In    carrying   the 
largest  pieces,  the   Twenty-first  sullered   severely  :    lieutenant 
(Jillcy,  after   an    unexamj)lcd   elTort,  fell  wounded  by  tlie  side 
of  the  jiiece  which  he  toidi:  and  there  were  few  of  the  ollicers 
of  this  rt'L^imcnt  who  were  not  either  killed  or  wounded.     By 
the  uiiiieil  elforls  of  these  two  regiments,  am!  the  brinLnnsi  into 
line  of  [Uo.  First,  the  fate  of  this  bold  assault  was  determined  : 
the  British  infantry  were  in  a  short  time  driven  down  the  emi- 
nence, out  of  the  reach,  of  mus(iuetry,  ami  their  own  cannon  turned 
upon   them.     This  admirable   ellbrt   comjjleiely  changed   the 
nature  of  the  battle  :  every  subsecjuent  movcnient  was  (hrected  to 
this  point,  as  upon  the  ability  to  maintain  it  the  result  of  the  cun- 
tlict  entirely  depi  luhd.      Major    liindman  was  now  ordered  to 
bring  up  his   corps,  including  captain    Towson's  dclacjiment, 
and  post    himself,  with    his   own   and   the  captured  cannon,  10 
tl.e  right  of  Kipley's  brigade,  and  between  it  and  the  Tweniy- 
llfth,  Jesup's,  reiiiment,  while  the  volunteers  of  general  Furier 
retained  their  pcjsiiion  on  the  left  of  8(;otl"s  brigade. 

t"5luiiii  with  Y:iiie  and  morlilicalion  at  this  most  extraordinary 
and  successful  exploit  of  the  Americans,  general  Drummond.  the 
British  commander,  now  considered  it  al)sohitely  essential  to  the 
credit  of  the  British  army,  and  to  avoiil  insupportable  disgrace, 
that  the  cannon  and  the  eminence  on  which  they  were  captured 
should  be  retaken.  Having  been  greatly  reinforced,  he  advaneed 
upon  Ripley,  with  a  heavy  and  extended  line,  outilankiiig  him 
on  both  extremes.  The  Americans  stood  silently  awaiting  iiis 
approach,  which  could  only  be  discovered  by  the  sound  attend- 
ing it,  reserving  their  lire,  in  obedience  to  orders,  until  it  couhl 
be  elVective  and  deadlv.     The  whole  division  of  the  British  now 


wv 


m 


228 


iniACKENRinOE'S 


>mi 


Battle  (if  Nj.iL'Mrii. 


. Ili'spcratc  ElfDrts  nf  ilic  HriiiHli  to  rcL'ain  their  Caiiiiiin. 


r 


J 


m 


marclu'(l:it;il)risk.sU'i),iimil  within  twenty  paces oCtho  siiniinitor 
the  hei^rhr,  when  il  |)()iir('tl  in  a  rapid  lire,  and  prepared  to  rush 
forward  with  the  !);>y(>iiet.  'J'he  American  line  being  directed  by 
the  lireot  the  enemy,  returned  it  with  deadly  eilect.  The  enemy 
were  the rel)y  thrown  into  uionienlarycun fusion  ;  hut  Ixiing rallied, 
returned  liirioiisly  to  the  attack.  A  ino'^t  tremendous  contlict 
ensued  ;  w  hicli  lor  twenty  niiuntes  coiuinued  with  violence  inde- 
scribahle.  'I'lu;  Hritish  line  was  at  last  coni])elled  to  yield,  and 
to  retire  down  the  hiil.  in  this  struirgie  general  Porter's  vo- 
lunteers emiilaled  the  conduct  of  the  regulars,  'i'he  iiallaiit 
major  Wood,  oC  llie  Pennsylvania  cor|)s,  and  colonel  l)ol)bin, 
ol' the  .\e\v  \  (»rk,  iiave  exanipk-s  ol' unshaken  intrepithty. 

It  was  not  supposed,  however,  that  this  would  i)e  the  last 
eflbrt  of  the  Hritish  iicnerai  ;  geni'ral  Uipley  therefore  had  {\w 
Avonnded  iransponed  to  the  rear,  and  instaiitly  restored  his  line 
to  order.  (Ji'ueral  Scott's  shalK-red  brigade  having  l)een  con- 
solidated into  one  baitahon,  iiad  durinir  this  perH)il  been  hidd 
in  reserve  behind  the  second  brisiaih',  mider  colonel  Leaven- 
worth ;  C(donel  Prady  havinii'  been  compelled,  by  the  severity 
of  his  wound,  to  resign  the  command.  It  was  now  ord<'red  ti» 
move  to  JiUiuiv's  Lant'.  and  to  form  wiili  its  ri^lit  towards  the 
Niagara  road,  :mu1  Us  leii  m  the  rear  of  iIkj  artillery. 

Alter  the  lapse  of  hall'  an  hour,  general  J)runimond  was 
liearil  a^iain  advancini!"  to  lh,e  assault  with  renovated  viiiour. 
The  diieciion  at  lirst  iiiven  by  liener-al  Kipley  was  auain 
observed.  The  lire  of  the  Americans  w'as  dreacUul ;  and  the 
artillery  of  major  liindman,  which  were  served  with  great  skill 
and  coolness,  would  have  taken  away  all  lieart  from  the  British 
for  this  perilous  enterprise,  had  not  an  example  of  bravery 
been  set  ihein  by  the  Americans.  Alier  the  li>st  ilischarue, 
llie  Priiish  general  threw  himself  with  his  I'litire  weight  upon 
the  centre  of  tlit"  American  line.  He  was  linnly  received  by 
the  gallant  Twi'iity-lirst  reuiment:  i  few  platoons  only  faltt'ring, 
which  w<'r(!  soon  resioreil  by  geiUM'al  Uipley.  I''inding  tliat 
no  impression  I'ould  l)e  made,  the  whole  British  line  again  re- 
coiled, aiiil  fell  back  to  the  bottom  of  the  hill.  During  this 
second  contest,  two  gallant  i'harg(!s  were  led  by  general  Scott 
in  person,  the  first  upon  the  enemy's  left,  and  the  second  on 
his  riglit  llank,  with  liis  consolidatcul  Itattalion  ;  but  having  to 
oppose  double  lines  of  infantry,  his  attempts,  which  would 
have  been  decisive  iuul  they  proved  successful,  were  unavail- 
ing. Although  he  had  most  Ibilinuitely  escaped  unhurt  thus 
far,  subseiiuenily,  in  j)assing  to  the  right,  he  received  two  severe 
wounds  :  he  did  not  c^uit  the  field,  however,  until  he  had  directed 


'ir  Camitin. 

>  .summit  of 
ircd  to  rush 
(lii'i'ctecl  by 
riiciMU'iny 
'injf  rallied, 
)iis  conllict 
)l(Mi('c  imlc- 
)  yield,  ami 
*() Tier's  vo- 
\'\]v.   oallaiit 
U'l  Pobbiii, 
jjidiiy. 
be   llie  last 
i)re  had  the 
trcd  his  line 
IT  \)v.vn  eoii- 
I   l)(j(Mi   held 
1(1  lieaveu- 
ilif  severity 
/  ordrrcid  to 
Inwards  the 

iimond  was 
itcd   vigour, 
was  ana  in 
d  ;  ami   the 
h  trreat  skill 
1  the  British 
ol'  bravery 
t  diseharire, 
Acifiht  upon 
rereivcd  by 
dy  Callerin!^, 
'iiiilinif   that 
nc  ;iuaiii  re- 
)urliiir   this 
■iieral  Scott 
e  second  on 
lit  having  to 
inch   woidd 
ere  unavail- 
mduirt  thus 
[I  two  severe 
had  directed 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


229 


Battle  of  Niagara Denperate  Etlorts  ol'tlie  Ilrilisii  to  regain  I  heir  I'aiiiion. 

colonel  Leavenworth  to  unite  his  battalion  wiili  the  Twenty- 
fifth  regiment,  under  the  command  of  colonel  Jesup. 

Disheartened  by  these  repeated  deleats,  the  IJritisJi  were  on 
the  point  of  yielding  tlie  contest,  when  they  received  fresh 
reinforcements  from  Fort  George,  which  revived  their  spirits, 
and  induced  them  to  make  annther  and  still  uiore  desperate 
struggle.  After  taking  an  hour  to  refresh  themselves  and  reco- 
ver from  their  fatigue,  they  advanced  with  a  still  more  extended 
line,  and  with  confident  iiopes  of  being  able  to  overpower  the 
Americans.  Our  countryiiien,  who  iiad  stood  to  their  arms 
during  all  this  time,  were  worn  down  w  ith  fatigue,  and  almost 
fainting  with  thirst,  which  there  was  no  water  at  hand  to 
quench.  From  the  long  interval  which  had  elapsed  since  the 
second  repulse,  they  had  begun  to  cherish  hopes  that  the  enemy 
had  abandoned  a  further  attempt ;  but  in  this  they  were  disap- 
pointed. On  the  approach  of  the  Uriiish  fur  the  third  time, 
their  courageous  spirit  returned,  and  tliey  resolved  never  to 
yield  the  glorious  trophies  of  their  victory,  untd  they  con-.., 
contend  no  longer.  The  British  delivered  their  lir(  a  thesaii 
distance  as  on  the  preceding  onsets.  But  aithouirh  it  was  re- 
turned with  the  same  deadly  eflect,  they  did  not  fall  back  with 
the  same  precipitation  as  before  ;  tliey  steadily  advanced,  and 
repeated  their  discharge.  A  conflict,  (jbstinate  and  dreatlful 
beyond  description,  ensued.  'i'he  'i'weniy-liist,  luuler  its 
brave  leader,  liruily  withstood  the  shock:  and  ahlunigii  the 
right  and  lel't  repeatedly  fell  back,  they  were  as  oiien  rallied 
by  the  personal  exertions  of  the  general,  and  colonels  Miller, 
Nicliolas  and  Jesup.  At  length  the  two  conteiuling  lines  were 
on  the  very  summit  of  the  hill,  where  the  contest  was  waged 
with  tcrrilic  violence  at  the  point  ol  the  bayonet.  iSuch  was 
the  obstinacy  of  the  conllict,  that  many  l)aitalions,  on  both 
sides,  were  forced  back,  and  the  opj)<)sing  parties  became 
mingled  witli  each  other.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  despera- 
tion of  the  i)alile  at  the  point  where  the  cannon  were  stationed. 
The  enemy  having  forced  themselves  into  the  very  midst  of 
major  Ilindman's  artillery,  he  was  compelled  to  engage  them 
across  the  carriages  and  guns,  and  at  last  to  spike  two  of  his 
pieces.  CJeneral  Ripley,  haviiiij  brought  back  the  broken  sec- 
tions to  their  positions  and  restored  the  line,  now  pressed  upon 
the  enemy's  llanks  and  compelled  them  to  give  way.  'I'he 
centre  soon  following  the  example,  and  the  attack  upon  the 
artillery  being  at  this  moment  repulsed,  the  whole  Briti>h  line 
tied  a  third  time;  and  no  exertions  of  their  oliieers  eoidil  re- 
strain tliem,  until  they  had  placed  themselves  out  of  reach  of  the 
d  artillery.     The  British  now  consented  to  relin- 


•Ct 


ti 


jq  lie  try 
u 


230 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


HiUlIe  of  N'iiifiara. 


.nritixh  retirr  from  the  Field. 


qiiisli  their  cannon,  and  retired  beyond  the  borders  of  the  field, 


le 


ivin<>:  their 


dead 


and  woiin 


ded. 


General  iJrown  had  received  two  severe  wounds  at  the  coni- 


jlled   to  reti 


to 


nienccnient  ol  the  last  ciiarge,  anu  was  com 
the  ranji)  at  the  Chippewa,  leaving  the  command  to  general 
Jiipley.  'I'he  latter  ollicer  had  made  repeated  eflbrts  to  obtain 
the  means  of  removing  the  captured  artillery  ;  but  the  horses 
havinir  been  killed,  and  no  drag  ropes  being  at  hand,  they  were 
still  on  the  place  where  they  liad  been  captured,  when  orders 
were  received  from  genCial  IJrown,  to  collect  the  wounded  and 
return  to  eanij)  immediately.  'J"he  liritish  cannon  were  th<  re- 
fore  lel't  behind,  tlie  smaller  pieces  having  first  been  rolled 
down  the  hill.  'J'he  whole  of  the  troops  reached  the  camp 
in  good  order  about  midnight,  after  an  unmolested  march. 

It  is  much  to  be  regietted  that  these  trophies  of  victory  could 
not  have  been  secured;  as  the  circumstance  of  their  recovery 
by  the  British  gave  them  occasion,  surprising  as  it  may  seem, 
to  claim  the  victory.  To  high  praise  they  certainly  were  en- 
titled; but  to  the  merit  of  "a  complete  defeat  of  the  Americans," 
they  had  no  claim,  and  the  assertion  was  an  outrage  to  truth. 
A  compliment  for  such  a  victory  ought  to  infuse  the  blush  of 
shame  into  the  cheek  of  any  honourable  soldier  who  had  a 
share  in  the  contest  so  named. 

The  British  force  engaged,  of  whom  twelve  hundred  were 
militia  and  live  hundred  Indians,  was  little  short  of  live  thou- 
sand men  ;  being  nearly  a  third  greater  than  that  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, 'i'he  loss  on  either  side  was  proportioned  to  the  nature  of 
this  dreadful  and  sanguinary  battle  :  its  aggregate,  in  both  armies, 
amounted  to  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenly-niuc  ; 
and  the  killed  and  wounded  alone  to  near  one  thousaiul  four 
hundred,  la  the  records  of  the  most  bloody  battles  we  seldom 
meet  with  so  great  a  number  of  oflicers  killed  and  wounded. 
On  the  side  of  the  British,  one  assistant  adjutant-general,  one 
captain,  three  subalterns,  and  seventy-nine  non-commissioned 
officers  and  privates,  were  killed ;  lieutenant-general  Drum- 
mond,  three  lieutenant-colonels,  two  majors,  eight  captains, 
tweiil}-iwo  subalterns,  and  five  hundred  and  twenty-two  non- 
commissioned ollicers  and  privates  were  wounded  :  one  major 
general  (lliall,  who  was  also  wounded),  one  aid-de-camp — cap- 
lain  Loring,  five  other  captains,  nine  subalterns,  and  two  hun- 
dred and  twenty  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  were 
prisoners  or  missing:  making  in  all  eight  hundred  and  seventy- 
eight  men.  The  American  loss  was,  one  major,  five  captains, 
five  subalterns,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty-nine  non-commis- 
sioned  olliceib   and   privates,  killed  ;    major-general    Brown, 


: 


HISTORY  OF  THE  VVAU. 


'^31 


•1(1. 

'  the  liekl, 

t  the  com- 
)  retire  to 
to  general 

to  obtain 
tlie  horses 
they  were 
len  orders 
uncled  and 

ere  thcre- 
een  rolled 

the  camp 
larch. 
tuny  could 
r  recovery 
may  seem, 
y  were  eii- 
iiericans," 
e  to  iriiih. 
le  blush  of 
rtho  had  a 

ml  red  were 
i"  live  thou- 
thc  Anieri- 
le  nature  ot 
loth  armits, 
eniy-nine  ; 
)usand  lour 
we  seldom 
J  wounded. 
:eneral,  one 
mmissioned 
oral   IJrum- 
it   captains, 
ty-two  non- 
:  one  major 
camp — cap- 
id  two  hun- 
ivates,  were 
lul  seventy- 
ve  captains, 
lon-commis- 
ral   Brown, 


liritisti  uuviiiicu  aKuiii  tin-  fullowiiii;  .MoruiiiL'. . .  .Aiiiurir;iii.s  Kclri'at  to  Fort  Kric. 

bri^ad*  generals  Scott  and  Porter,  two  aids-de-cnmp,  one 
brigauj  major,  one  colonel,  four  lieutenant-coloiu'ls,  one  major, 
seven  captains,  thirty-seven  subalterns,  and  live  hundred  and 
lifieen  non-commissioned  olVicers  and  privates,  wouiuhHl;  and 
one  brigade  major,  one  captain,  six  subalterns,  atul  one  liun- 
dredand  two  non-commissioned  oHicers  and  jirivalrs,  prisoners 
or  missing:  making  a  grand  total  of  eight  hundred  and  lifty-one. 
Thus  there  was  a  dilleronce  of  twenty-seven  only,  between  the 
respective  losses  of  the  contending  jiarties. 

The  commander-in-chief  ordci'ed  general  Ripley  to  refresh 
the  troops  on  their  arrival  at  tlie  caniji,  and  in  the  morning  to 
proceed  to  the  battle  ground,  and  cii<>::iLre  the  enemy  if  circum- 
stances permitted.  On  reconnoitering  the  enemy,  lie  found 
them  drawn  up  in  advance  of  tiieir  position  of  the  preceding 
day  on  the  eminence,  and  presenting  a  formidal)le  appearance. 
It  would  have  been  madness  to  renew  the  combat  with  a  force 
whi(;h,  on  examination,  amounted  to  only  fifteen  hundred  men 
tit  for  duty;  and  he  then;fore  properly  ibjclined  it.  Ilis  con- 
duct was  hastily  censured  by  general  Brown,  in  his  despatches 
to  the  government.  General  Rijjley,  in  conscciuence,  had  for 
a  long  period  to  contend  with  the  oblocpiy  of  public  opinion; 
and  it  was  not  until  some  time  subse(piently  that  the  lull  extent 
of  his  merit  was  known.  It  is  now  generally  admitted,  that 
much  of  the  praise  of  this  brilliant  victory  is  due  to  the  skill 
and  valour  of  this  officer. 

General  Ripley,  finding  himself  unable  to  make  a  stand 
against  the  superior  force  of  the  British,  retreated  to  Fort  Erie, 
and  anticipating  their  approach,  immediately  set  about  extend- 
ing its  defences.  The  enemy,  notwiihslandiiig  their  pretended 
victory,  did  not  think  proper  to  follow  up  the  Americans,  until 
they  had  been  reinforced  by  general  I)e  Watteville,  with  one 
thousand  men.  'J'heir  whole  force,  now  amounting  to  upwards 
of  five  thousand  men,  appeared,  on  the  3d  of  August,  before  a 
fortification  which  a  few  days  previously  had  been  considered 
untenable,  and  commenced  the  erection  of  regular  intrench- 
ments.  The  besieged,  at  the  same  time,  laboured  incessantly 
to  complete  their  arrangements  for  defence,  'i'he  position 
which  the  American  army  had  taken,  for  the  purpose  of  main- 
taining itself  against  so  great  a  su['eriority,  possessed  few 
natural  advantages  ;  and  tlic  work  called  Fort  Frie  was  litde 
more  than  a  small  unfinished  redoubt.  Situated  about  one 
hundred  yards  from  the  lake  shore  at  its  nearest  angle,  and  on 
a  plain  of  about  fifteei.  feet  elevation,  this  fort  could  be  con- 
sidered as  nothing  more  than  the  strongest  point  of  a  fortified 
camp.     A  line  of  works  was  yet  to  be  constructed  in  front,  and 


U"- 


232 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


^i('j.'t' (if  l"(irl  I'.rir I'rojectrd  Attnck  on  Kiitlali)  ri'jiiilried. 


on  tlic  riirlit  niul  IcCt  to  tlic  liike  ;  the  rear  on  the  shore  beiiiff 
left  open.  TIm;  I'ori  itself  |)r()l)af)iy  did  not  ocriipy  more  than 
a  sixth  of  th(;  space  ()crii|)ied  hy  ihe  hue  of  (U-fences  ;  and  the 
remainder  eoidd  not  l)e  otherwise  than  hastily  constructed. 
Indeed, DotuithsiaiuHniT  the  sh)vv  and  cautions  ajiproaches  of 
llie  IJrilish,  much  reinaiiu'd  unfinished  at  the  hist  moment. 

On  the  s;ime  (hiy  that  the  eiu'my  appeared  hefore  Fort  Erie, 
a  detachn)ent,  un(h;r  eohuiel  'rucker,  crossed  the  Niagara,  for 
the  purpose  of  attackinir  iiulfalo  and  rccapiuriii*''  •General  Kiall. 
This  j)arly,  alihouiili  sulisecjutnily  increased  hy  reinforce- 
ments to  twelve  hundnul  men,  was  repulsed  by  major  Morgan 
with  hut  two  hundrcHJ  and  forty  men.  In  this  affair  captain 
Hamilton  and  lieutenants  Wadsworth  and  M'Intosh  were  killed. 

The  defences  of  Fort  Erie  were  sulllciently  completed,  by 
the  7th,  to  keeji  at  l)ay  an  enemy  who  had  learned  to  respect 
our  arsns.  From  this  day,  until  the  14th,  there  was  an  almost 
incessant  cannonade  between  the  batteries  of  the  besiegers  and 
the  besieged.  In  the  freijuent  skirmishes  which  took  place, 
the  Americans  were  generally  victorious  ;  in  one  of  them,  how- 
ever, they  lost  mtijor  iMorgan,  a  brave  olHcer,  who  had  dis- 
tinguished himsellas  above  mentioned,  and  whose  death  was 
sincerely  lamented.  General  Gaines  had  arrived  shortly  after 
the  commencement  of  the  siege,  and  before  any  regular  firing 
had  been  entered  upon.  Being  the  senior  officer,  he  assumed 
the  chief  direction,  and  general  liipley  returned  to  the  com- 
mand of  iiis  brigade. 

On  the  night  of  the  14tli,  general  Ripley  perceived  a  bustle 
in  the  British  camp  ;  and  conceiving  that  an  ass-aidt  was  about 
to  be  made,  lie  despatched  a  messenger  to  apprize  general 
Gaines  of  his  convictions,  who,  however,  had  already  formed 
a  similar  o|)inion.  Dispositions,  in  which  the  troops  enthusi- 
astically participated,  were  now  rapidly  made  to  receive  the 
expected  assailants. 

General  Drmnmond  had  made  arrangements  to  assail  the 
American  fortifications  on  the  right,  centre  and  left  at  the  same 
instant ;  and  general  Gaines,  not  knowing  where  the  enemy 
would  make  his  attack,  was  prepared  to  meet  him  at  all  points. 
Tlie  fort  and  bastions  were  placed  under  the  commantl  of  cap- 
tain Williams,  of  the  artillery  ;  and  a  battery  on  the  margin  of 
the  lake  was  assignetl  to  captain  Douglass  of  the  engineers. 
A  blockhouse,  near  the  salient  bastion  of  the  fort,  was  occupied 
by  major  Trimble  with  a  detachment  of  infantry.  Captains 
Diddle  and  Fanning,  supported  by  general  Porter's  volunteers 
and  the  riflemen,  commanded  the  batteries  in  front.  The 
whole  of  the  artillery  throughout  the  garrison  were  directed  by 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


233 


ic  bein;jr 
ore  tliaii 
and  ihr 
tnictcd. 
ciches  of 
lit. 

ort  Erie, 
i(;ira,  for 
ral  Riall. 
ei  II  force - 
r  Morgan 
r  captain 
sre  killed, 
tleled,  by 
0  respect 
HI  almost 
pwers  and 
ok  place, 
em,  how- 
had  dis- 
jeath  was 
irtly  after 
iilar  firing 
assumed 
the  com- 

.1  a  bustle 
was  about 
e  general 
ly  formed 
s  enthusi- 
jceive  the 

assail  the 
t  the  same 
he  enemy 
all  points, 
id  of  cap- 
margin  of 
engineers. 
3  occupied 
Captains 
volunteers 
)nt.  The 
irected  by 


Assault  upon  Furl  F.rii' 


major  Hindman.  'J'iie  first  brigade,  lately  conimandcd  by 
general  Scott,  now  under  lieutriiant-coloncl  A.spinwall,  was 
posted  on  the  right ;  and  general  Ripley's,  the  second,  brigade, 
supported  Towson's  battery  at  the  southwestern  extremity  of 
the  works,  and  the  line  of  the  works  on  the  left.  A  few  hours 
before  the  commencement  of  the  assault,  one  of  the  enemy's 
shellf?  exploded  a  small  magazine  within  the  American  works, 
which  was  succeeded  by  a  loud  shout  from  the  I)rsirgers. 
The  shout  was  returned  by  the  Americans  ;  and  captain  Wil- 
liams, amid  the  smoke  of  the  explosion,  immediately  discharged 
all  his  heavy  guns. 

At  half  past  two  in  the  morninijf,  the  darkness  being  excess- 
ive, the  approach  of  the  enemy's  right  column,  one  thousand 
three  hundred  strong,  under  lieutenant-colonel  Fischer,  was  dis- 
tinctly heard  on  the  left  of  the  garrison.  'J'hc  second  brigade, 
and  the  artillery  of  Towson's  battery  were  ready  to  receive 
them.  Advancing  steadily  and  quickly,  the  Rrilish  assailed 
the  battery  with  scaling  ladders,  and  the  line  towards  the  lake 
with  the  bayonet.  They  were  permitted  to  approach  close  up 
to  ilie  works,  when  a  tremendous  fire  was  opened  upo)i  them, 
and  their  column  fell  back  in  confusion.  Colonel  Fischer,  rally- 
ing his  men,  again  advanced  furiously  to  the  attack  ;  but  was  a 
second  time  compelled  to  retire,  with  still  greater  loss.  The 
possession  ofTowson's  battery  being  considered  essential  to  the 
general  plan  of  assault,  he  next  essayed  to  pass  round  the  abattis 
by  wading  breast  deep  in  the  lake ;  but  in  this  attempt  he  was  un- 
successful, and  nearly  two  hundred  of  his  men  were  either  killed 
or  drowned.  Witiiout  seeking  to  learn  the  result  of  the  attack 
on  other  points,  he  now  ordered  a  retreat  to  the  British  encamp- 
ment. 

The  enemy's  central  and  lel't  columns  having  waited  until 
colonel  Fischer  was  completely  engaged,  colonel  Scott,  who 
commanded  the  left  column,  approached  on  the  right  along 
the  lake;  while  lieutenant-colonel  Drummond,  with  the  central 
column,  at  the  same  moment  advanced  to  the  assault  of  the 
fort  proper.  Colonel  Scott  was  cl;ecked  by  captain  Douglass's 
battery,  captains  Boughton  and  Harding's  iVew  York  and 
Peinisylvania  volunteers  on  its  right,  the  Ninth  infantry  under 
captain  Foster  on  its  left,  and  a  six-pounder  stationed  there 
under  the  direction  of  colonel  M'Ree.  Their  fire  was  so  well 
directed,  that  the  approaching  column  made  a  momentary 
pause  at  the  distance  o\'  fifty  yards,  and  then  recoiled.  Not- 
withstanding the  rapid  and  heavy  fire  from  captain  Williams's 
artillery,  the  column  of  cc'onel  Urummond,  composed  of  eight 
hundred  select  troops,  firmly  advanced  to  the  attack  of  the  fort. 


t 


234 


URACKENRIDGE'S 


AsMtnili  upon  Forf  Hrii: Dcntli  ofColuncI  Driitniniiiid. 


SiuUltMily  iipijlvintj  \\\s  scaliiifr  ladders,  he  mounted  the  parapet, 


1 


moil 
It  to  the  Imo  exteiidin 


IT  to  the  hdie  on 


m 


us  oiiicers  CHllmj;  onl 
their  h'fl  to  roasc  tiriiiir.  'J'his  artifiee  succeeded  so  well,  that 
Doughi.-!.i's  hattcry  and  the  iiifamry,  supposing  the  order  to 
liave  heen  ^nven  uiihiii  the  garrison,  suspended  their  fire,  and 
suflered  colonel  Seott,  who  had  rallied  his  men,  to  approach 
their  line.  When  the  deception  was  discovered,  it  availed 
nothing;  for  the  column,  on  its  second  charge,  was  resisted 
with  so  niucli  effect,  as  to  be  compelled  again  to  retreat,  with 
the  loss  of  its  commander  and  a  third  of  its  numbers.  The 
central  column  was,  in  the  meanwhile,  with  great  difTiculty 
thrown  back,  althotigh  the  troops  within  the  fort  were  quickly 
reinforced  from  <ieneral  llipley's  brigade,  and  general  Porter's 
volunteers.  Repealed  assaults  were  made  by  colonel  Drum- 
mond.  Each  time  llu^y  were  repulsed  by  colonel  Hindman*s 
artillery,  and  the  infantry  under  major  Trimble  ;  and  now  that 
colonel  Scott's  column  luul  withdrawn  from  the  action,  lieu- 
tenant Douglass  was  engaged  in  giving  such  a  direction  to  the 
guns  of  the  battery,  as  to  cut  off  the  communication  between 
colonel  Drummond,  and  tlio  reserve  which  was  to  be  brought 
up  to  his  support  under  lieutenant-colonel  Tucker. 

Col(»nel  Drummond,  although  three  times  repulsed,  was  un- 
willing to  renounce  his  undertaking.  Availing  himself  of  the 
darkness  of  the  morning,  which  was  increased  by  the  smoke, 
he  stole  silently  along  the  ditch,  and  suddenly  applying  his 
ladders,  once  more  rapidly  gained  the  parapet,  crying  out  to 
his  men  to  charge  vigorously,  and  give  the  Yankees  no  quar- 
ter!  This  order  was  faithfully  executed  ;  and  the  most  furious 
strife  now  ensued  that  had  been  witnessed  during  the  sissault. 
All  the  cH'orts  of  major  Ilindman  and  the  corps  suj)porting 
him  could  not  dislodge  the  enemy  from  the  bastion,  though 
they  prevented  him  from  approaching  further.  Captain  Wil- 
liams was  mortally  wounded  ;  lieutenants  Watmough  and 
M'Donough,  severely.  The  latter,  no  longer  able  to  fight,  called 
for  quarter.  This  was  refused  by  colonel  Drummond,  who 
repeated  his  instructions  to  his  troops  to  deny  it  in  every  in- 
stance. The  declining  and  almost  exhausted  strength  and  spirits 
of  the  lieutenant  bein^  restored  and  roused  by  the  barbarity  of 
this  order,  he  seized  ;i  handsidke,  and,  with  the  desperation  of 
madness,  defended  himself  against  the  assailants,  until  he  was 
shot  by  colonel  Drummond  himself.  The  latter  survived  this 
act  only  a  few  minutes  :  he  received  a  ball  in  his  breast,  which 
terminated  his  existence.  Brutal  courage  merits  nothing  but 
abhorrence  ;  it  is  only  when  tempered  witli  mercy,  that  valour  is 
a  virtue.     The  enemy  still  maintained  their  position,  notvvith- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


235 


)iid. 

e  parapet, 
)  lake  on 
well,  that 

order  to 
'  fire,  and 

approach 
it  availed 
s  resisted 
reat,  with 
?rs.     The 

difTiculty 
•e  quickly 
1  Porter's 
lel  Urum- 
lindiiian's 

now  that 
Lion,  lieu- 
ion  to  the 
1  between 
e  brought 

1,  was  un- 

elf  of  the 
le  smoke, 
)lying  his 
ng  out  to 
no  (juar- 
Dst  furious 
>e  assault, 
upporting 
n,  though 
)tain  VVil- 
ough  and 
|ht,  called 
lond,  who 
every  in- 
and  spirits 
irbarity  of 
)e  rati  on  of 
til  he  was 
vived  this 
ast,  which 
)thing  but 
it  valour  is 
,  notwith' 


AH^aiilt  upon  Fort  I'lc 'rniiuMiitoiiH  K.xploxioii nritixli  drivt'ii  Imck. 


Standing  the  death  of  their  leader,  and  repulsed  every  attempt 
to  dislodire  tliein  until  daylight  :   they  had,   in  the   meaiuiinc, 


mil 


ercd  cxcessivclv 


'V\\v.  contest  ii!oii<^  tin;  whole  line  of  de- 


fences, with  this  exception,  having  ('cased,  contiideriihle  reinforce- 


ments  were  or( 


Icrcd 


up. 


r 


lie  enemy  now  lie;fan   to  recoi 


and  in  a  few  moments  many  of  them  were  thrown  over  the 
bastion.  'I'hc  reserve  coming  up  to  their  support,  the  can- 
non of  the  Donjrlass  battery  enfiladed  the  colinnii  as  it  ap- 
proached, and  the  artillery  of  lieutenant  ranning  |)laycd  upon 
it  with  great  ellect ;  while  a  gun  under  the  charge  of  captain 
Biddic  was  served  with  uncommon  vivacity.  A  part  of  the 
reserve,  to  the  numlier  of  from  three  to  four  hundred  men,  was 
nevertheless  about  to  rush  upon  the  parapet  to  the  assistance  of 
the  recoiling  soldiers,  when  a  tremendous  explosion  took  place 
under  the  platform  of  the  bastion,  whicji  carried  away  the 
bastion  and  all  who  were  on  it.  'I'he  reserve  now  fell  back  ; 
and  the  contest,  in  a  short  time,  terminated  in  the  entire  deleat 
of  the  enemy,  and  their  return  to  their  encampment. 

The  British  left  on  the  field  two  hundred  and  twenty-two 
killed,  among  them  fourteen  ollicers  of  distinction  ;  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-four  wounded;  and  one  hundred  and  eighfy- 
six  prisoners  :  making  a  total  of  live  hiuidrcd  and  eighiy-two. 
The  official  statement  of  general  Drummond  makes  it  in  all 
nine  hundred  aiul  five,  of  which  fifty-seven  were  killed.  The 
American  loss  amounted  to  seventeen  killed,  fifty-six  wounded, 
and  one  lieutenant  (Fontain,  thrown  out  while  defending  the 
bastion)  and  ten  privates  prisojiers  :  in  all,  eighty-four  men.  It 
was  not  until  all  hopes  of  carrying  the  fort  were  at  an  end,  that 
the  British  deigned  to  make  prisoners  of  a  few  wounded  men 
who  fell  into  their  power. 

The  explosion  of  the  bastion  furnished  the  British  with  an 
excuse  for  their  defeat;  and  they  represented  its  consequences 
as  much  more  serious  than  tliey  really  were.  It  is  certain, 
however,  that  the  assault  had  already  failed  at  every  other  point; 
and  the  small  body  of  men  in  possession  of  ihe  outer  bastion 
could  not  by  possibility  have  subdued  the  whole  garrison. 
Nor  was  the  number  killed  by  the  explosion  so  great  as  they 
stated  :  the  slaughter  of  the  enemy  took  place  during  the  as- 
sault, whi(di,  at  the  time  when  the  occurrence  took  place,  had 
lasted  upwards  of  an  hour. 

The  enemy  now  remained  quiet  in  his  intrenchments  until 
he  received  a  reinforcement  of  two  regiments.  When  they  ar- 
rived, he  renewed  his  assault  on  the  fort  from  enlarged  batteries, 
continuing  it,  with  little  intermission,  to  the  latter  end  of  Au- 
gust.    On  the  28lh,  general  Gaines  being  severely  wounded  by 


230 


imACKENRinnF/s 


»4leR«'  of  Fort  Krl«... Pnrllo  from  llic  Fort. 


theburHlinfjof  a  slicll,  wliich  coinpcllrd  him  to  n-tiro  to  IJuiralo, 
the  comm:ui(l  :if(;iin  devolved  on  irciiciMl  Uiplcy. 

'I'lic  situation  ol'  llie  army  in  l*'oil  Krw.  had  hf'jrim  to  rx<'ite 
considorahh'  uncasincs.s  ;  Ijnt  iho  operations  of  sir  (icorj:^fi  I'rc- 
vost,  abonl  this  timi;,  in  the  vicinity  of  (Miamplain  and  I'hilts- 
hurfT,  rendered  it  for  a  period  very  uncertain  whether  any 
relief  coiikl  he  sent  hy  jreneral  1/ard.  It  afliirvvards  ajipeared, 
that  orders  to  that  eU'ecl  had  been  f,'iven  to  this  ollicor  hy  the 
secretary  of  war  ;  hut  he  was  prevented,  hy  a  variety  of  causes, 
from  movintr  ;is  rapidly  as  coidd  have  heen  (h'sired.  The 
garrison,  howcvcM',  was  streniriliened  hy  the  (hiily  arrival  of 
militia  and  volunteers  ;  and  ^o'neral  Brown,  havinir  sulliciently 
recovered  from  his  wounds,  had  returned  to  the  command  on 
the  2d  of  Septendier.  'I'he  sieye  was  still  maintained  with 
vigour  hy  the  British,  who  had  ahandoned  the  idea  of  carryiiiii'' 
the  place  otherwise  than  hy  re«,ailar  approaches,  alihoii<>h  their 
forCvT  had  heen  considerably  auiimenled  since  their  last  defeat. 
The  Americans  laboured  with  ninelaxing  assiduity,  to  com|)lete 
their  forlilMMtions.  l''re(iiient  skirmishes  occurred,  and  a  can- 
nonade on  either  side  was  ke[)t  up;  but  luithing  of  iiuj)ortancc 
took  place  until  the  17lh  of  8eptember.  (Jeneral  IJrcjwn,  t)b- 
serving  that  the  enemy  had  just  complettul  a  battery,  which 
would  open  a  most  destructive  lire  the  next  day,  planiuHl  a 
sortie,  which  has  been  considered  a  military  chef  d'ouvre,  atul 
which  was  carried  into  execution  on  the  day  just  mentioned. 
The  British  force  ct)nsisted  of  three  brigades,  ol"  one  thousand 
five  hundred  men  each  :  one  of  them  was  stationed  at  the 
works  ill  front  of  Fort  Erie  ;  the  other  two  occupied  a  c:!uip 
two  miles  in  the  rear.  The  desl<rn  of  ocnciral  Brown  was  to 
•'  storm  the  balt(!ri(!S,  destroy  the;  cannon,  and  roughly  handle 
the  brigade  on  duty,  before  those  in  reserve  could  be  brought 
up."  A  road  had  previously  been  opened  !)y  lieutenants  Kiddle 
and  Frazer,  in  a  circuitous  course,  through  the  woods,  within 
pistol  shot  of  the  right  (lank  of  the  line  of  hostile  batteries, 
and  with  such  secrecy  as  to  have  escaped  the  notice  of  the 
enemy.  At  two  o'clock  I'.  M.  the  troops  were  drawn  up  in 
readiness  to  make  the  sortie.  'I'lic  division  on  the  American 
left,  commanded  by  general  Porter,  was  composed  of  rillemen 
and  Indians  under  colonel  Gibson,  and  two  columns,  the  right 
commanded  by  colonel  Wood,  the  left  by  general  Davis  of  the 
New  York  militia;  and  was  to  proceed  through  the  woods  by 
the  road  which  had  been  opened.  'I'he  right  division  of  the 
troops,  under  general  Miller,  was  stationed  in  a  ravine  between 
the  fort  and   the  enemy's  works,  under  general  Miller,  with 


HISTORY  or  TIIR  WAR. 


237 


'f  •  ) 


niliialu, 

to  excite 

>r};o  I'rc- 

IMalts- 

llicr   any 

ppcarecl, 

r  l)y  the 

r  causes, 

(1.     'Hie 

n rival  of 

nicieiilly 

inaiul  oil 

led   wiili 

carryii)",^ 

iijirh  their 

St  (Iclcat. 

comphtte 

nil  a  cau- 

ij)()rlancc 

^own,  ob- 

•y,  which 

ilanned  a 

iivrc,  and 

cntioiied. 

thousand 

L'd  at  the 

I   a  c;!inp 

n  was  to 

ly  handle 

[;  hroujrht 

ts  Riddle 

Is,  within 

batteries, 

L'e  of  the 

\vn  up  in 

American 

['  rillenien 

the  right 

ns  of  the 

woods  by 

m  of  the 

;  between 

llcr,  with 


Siirlii'  irmii  I'tirl  I'.rir KiMtriK  titm  nf  ilii'  i:iiriii\  'h  \\'iirki«. 

orders  umI  to  advance  until  general  I'orlcjr  should  have  engaged 


their  riii.ii  Hank. 
'I'll 


he  troops  (»|  jjeneral  Porter  advanced  with  so  much  celerity 
and  caution,  that  their  attack  upon  the  enemy's  think  gave  the 
I'lrst  intiiii:ition  (d  llicir  approach.  A  severe;  conllicl  ensued, 
in  which  those  gallant  olllccrs,  colonel  (iibson  and  colonel 
Wooil,  fell  .It  the  lica«i  of  their  cohiinns.  'i'hcir  respective 
commands  mnv  devolved  on  lieulcMiant-colonel  M'Donald  and 
major  llronks.  in  iliirly  ininntcs,  possession  was  taken  of  the 
two  batteries  in  this  quarter,  and  also  of  a  blockhouse  in  the 
rear,  aiid  its  garrison.  'I'hree  twenly-four-poiinders  were 
rendered  useless,  and  their  ma!::i/iu(!  blown  tij)  by  lieutenant 
Riddle,  who  narrowly  escaped  the  ellecis  of  the  (!Xj)losion. 
At  this  moment  the  troops  under  jreiicral  .Miller  came  iij).  Aided 
by  colonel  (Jibsoii's  column,  tlicy  |)ierc('d  the  IJriiish  intrench- 
nients,  and,  after  a  sharp  conllict,  carried  a  battery  and  a  block- 
house. In  this  assault  brii:a(lier-g(;iieral  Davis  fell  at  the  head 
of  his  \(»luiiteers.  These  !)alteries  and  the  two  l)lockhouses 
being  in  the  possession  of  t'KJ  Americans,  general  .Miller's 
division  directed  its  course  toward  the  battery  erected  at  the 
extremity  of  the  enemy's  lelt  Hank.  At  this  moment  they 
were  joined  by  the  reserve  under  general  liipley.  The  resist- 
ance here  was  much  bolder  and  more  obstinate.  The  works 
being  exceetlinijly  intricate,  from  the  sindied  complexity  of  the 
successive  lines  of  intrenchments,  a  constant  use  of  the  bayonet 
was  the  only  mode  of  assailing  them,  'i'he  enemy  had  also, 
by  this  time,  received  (considerable  reinforcements  from  their 
encampment  in  the  rear.  (Ji'iieral  Miller  conlinned  to  ailvance, 
notwithstanding  the  absence  of  those  valuable  ollicers,  colonel 
Aspinwall  and  major  'JVimble,  iIk;  former  severely,  the  latter 
dangerously  wounded.  'I'Ih;  Twenty-tirsl  regiment,  uiiiler  lieu- 
tenant-colonel I  pliani,  beloiiiiing  to  the  reserve,  ami  part  of  the 
Seventeenth,  unitinir  with  the  corps  of  general  Miller,  charged 
rapidly  upon  the  batiery,  wlii'.  h  was  instantly  abandoned  by 
the  iJriiish  infantry  and  artillery.  (General  Ripley,  being 
the  senior  oliicer,  now  ordered  a  line  to  be  formed  lor  the  pro- 
tection of  the  detachments  eiiLraued  in  destroviiiif  ilu;  batteries, 
and  was  engaged  in  making  arrang(;meiits  for  following  up, 
on  the  rear  of  general  Drummond,  a  success  which  had  so 
far  transcended  expectation,  when  he  received  a  wound  in  the 
neck,  and  falling  by  the  side  of  major  Brooks,  was  immediately 
transported  to  the  fort.  'J'he  objects  of  the  sortie  having  been 
completely  elTected,  general  Miller  called  in  his  detachments, 
and  retired  in  good  order,  with  the  prisoners  and  many 
trophies  of  this  signal  exploit.     Thus,   in  a  few  hours,  the 


■>.h 


4£ 


238 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Hritisli  riiisie  lliu  .Si('),'e  of  Fort  Eric,  and  ri'ireat  to  Fort  (iuorjjc. 


labour  of  the  enemy  for  forty-seven  days,  was  destroyed  ;  and, 
ill  addition  to  the  h)ss  of  their  cannon,  upwards  of  a  thousand 
of  their  njcn  were  i)hiced  hors  (Uj  coml)at,  of  whom  three  Inin- 
dred  and  eighty-five  were  taken  prisoners.  'JMie  American  loss 
amounted  to  eighty-three  kiUed,  two  lumdred  and  sixteen 
wounch^l,  and  a  hk(!  numl)er  missing.  lJesi(hjs  thcjsc  already 
mentioned,  several  other  ollicers  of  great  merit  were  killed  in 
this  affair:  captains  Armistead  oi"  the  rille  corps.  Hall  of 
the  Eleventh  inl'anlry,  Hradford  of  the  Twenty-hrst,  and  Buel 
of  the  volunteers;  ensiirn  O'FlinLi;,  <>f  the  /wenty-third  infantry, 
a  gallant  ollicer;  and  lieutenants  Ihown,  Ik'lknap,  aiul  IJlakes- 
Icy,  of  the  volunteers.  On  the  third  day  after  the  lirilish 
had  achieved  this  sjilendid  victory  !  for  as  such  it  was  claimed 
by  them,  they  broke  up  their  encampment,  and  marched  to  Fort 
George. 

Soon  after  this  affair,  general  Izard  arrived  with  rcinforce- 
mei\t3  from  IM.uishurg,  and  being  the  senior  ollicer,  succeeded 
to  the  cotnmand  ;  while  general  Browr,  was  ordered  to  .Sackett's 
Harbour.  By  this  accession  of  force,  and  the  completion  ol 
the  defences,  all  ap[)rehe;'.sious  ol  any  further  at(emi)t  against 
Fort  Erie  wete  removed.  About  tlu;  latter  eiul  ol'  July,  the 
secretary  at  war,  hearing  that  the  British  were  sending  strong 
reinforcements  from  Montreal  to  Kingston,  had  intimated  to  ge- 
neral I/ard,  the  propriety  of  iroceeding  from  I'lattsbin-g  to  Sack- 
ett's Harbour  with  the  principal  part  of  iiis  forces,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  threatening  Frescottand  Kingston,  and  at  the  same  time 
of  aiding  general  Brown  in  the  pre  iiCutio;i  of  his  part  of  the 
campaign,  in  pursuance  of  this  intiniation,  the  general  moved  to 
Sackett's  Harbour,  with  nearly  all  his  en"ecli\e  iorce,  amounting 
to  four  thousand  men,  arriving  th(M'e  on  -he  i7th  of  September. 
The  events  which  had  in  the  meantime  occurred,  and  which 
have  been  already  detailed,  iiad  given  a  new  face  to  the  cam- 
paign. Shortly  bel'ore  the  arrival  of  tin;  general  at  Sackett's 
Harbour,  he  had  received  a  leiter  from  general  Brown,  giving 
informalioji  of  his  critical  position,  and  calling  for  speedy  re- 
lief. It  v,as  not  before  the  20ih,  that  general  Izard  was  en- 
abled to  eml)ark  his  troops  on  lake  Ontario,  and  the  12th  of 
October  had  arrived  beft)re  he  actually  reached  Fort  lOrie.  It 
will  be  seen,  in  a  subsecpient  chapter,  that  the  post  which  he 
left  was,  soon  after  his  departure,  placed  in  a  situation  as  crit- 
ical as  that  which  he  had  come  to  relieve.  These  were  the 
unavoidable  results  of  prosecuting  the  war  with  a  handful  of 
men,  along  a  frontier  of  such  immense  extent,  in  the  exjK'ctation 
that  small  corps,  at  distances  of  four  or  five  hundred  miles  apart, 
could  march  to  the  relief  of  each  other,  or  act  on  concerted 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


239 


lie. 


AiiiL'ricaiis  ailviiiice, 


.Dtstrurlion  of  Fort  Erie,  and  Evacuation  ofCanada. 


lycd  ;  and, 
1  thousand 
three  luin- 
ciican  loss 
ul    sixtetni 
)sc  already 
c  kiUed  in 
s,    Hall   of 
,  and   Buel 
I'd  infantry, 
nd  Blakcs- 
,he   British 
'as  claimed 
ned  to  Fort 

I  rcinforce- 
,  succeeded 
lO  Sackelt's 
ni.iletion  ol 
nij)t  against 
1'  July,  the 
ling  strong 
iiated  to  fe- 
iriT  to  Sack- 
for  the  pur- 
3  same  lime 

part  of  the 
ral  moved  to 
,  amounting 
September. 

and  which 
,0  the  cani- 
At  Sackelt's 
)wn,  giving 

speedy  re- 
ird   was  en- 

the  12th  of 
rl  l"'rie.  It 
t  which  he 
ion  as  crit- 
>e  were  the 
,  handful  of 

expectation 

miles  apart, 
m  concerted 


plans,  subject  to  innumerable  contingencies.  Fortunately,  be- 
fore the  arrival  of  general  I/ard,  the  success  of  the  sortie  plan- 
ned by  general  Biown,  had  conipcUed  the  enemy  to  raise  the 
sieg(  .  The  ai)proach  of  general  Izard,  in  all  probability,  had 
furnished  some  inducement  to  the  adoption  of  this  stej)  by  the 
enemy. 

A  sullicientgarrison,  under  lieutenant-colonel  Hindman,  being 
left  for  the  protection  of  Fort  Frie,  the  army  mov(;d  towanls 
the  (Miippcwa,  to  oi)erate  ollcnsively  against  the  enemy  ;  but 
nothing  of  miHucnt  o(:(;urred  for  some  time,  in  consequence  of 
the  shyness  of  the  latter. 

Before  the  close  of  the  campaign,  a  gallant  affair  was  achiev- 
ed by  general  Bissel,  of  the  second  brigade  of  the  lirst  division. 
On  the  18lh  of  October,  he   was  detached  with  nine  hundred 
men,  to  the  neighl)ourhood  of  Cook's  mills,  at  Lyon's  creek, 
a  branch  of  the  Chippewa,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  the 
enemy's  stores  in  that  (luartcr.     Afier  driving  in  a  picket  guard 
and  capturing  its  ollicers,  lie  threw  ac      s  the  crecdv  two  light 
companies  under  c:ij)t,<in  Doruian  and  lieutenant  Horrel,  and  a 
rillc  company  mider  cajitain  Irvine,  and  then  encamped.     The 
next  morninir  tlie  detachment  was  assailed  by  the  niar(iuis  of 
Tweeddale    with   twelve    hundred    men.     'i'he   com|Kuiies  on 
the  other  side  ol'  the  creek  received  the  enemy's  first  fnc,  and 
sustained  the  attack  tinlil  general   Bissel  had  formed  his   men 
and  brouaht  tlicin  to  their  support.     Colonel  IMidiney,  with  the 
Fiiiii  regiment,   was  or-'cred  to  turn  the  enemy's  riglu  llank 
aiul  (.'ui  od"  a  ))ie(re  of  rirtillery  which  they  had  brought  into  ac- 
tion, while  major  Barnard  advanced  in  front  with  instructions 
to  make  a  free  use  of  the  bayonet.     These  orders  were  rapidly 
carried  into  execution,     'i  he  whole  line  of  the  enemy  began  to 
recoil;  and  the  American   reser'.e,   composed  of  tin;   Fifteenth 
reiiiment  under  major  («rindage,  am!   the  Sixteenth  uiuler  co- 
lonel   IV'arce,    wa.s   lu)  sooiscr  iliscovered  advancing,   than  the 
inar(iuis  fell  back  in  disortUr  to  his  intrenchments  at  the  mouth 
of  the   river,   lca\ing  his  killed  and  woimded   behind.     After 
pursuinu;   him  for  a  small  distance,  general  Bissel,  in  compli- 
ance with  his  orders,  |)rocee(l('d  to  destroy  the  stores  at  the 
Mills;  and  then   retreated,  with  a  loss  of  sixty-seven  killed, 
wounded  and  missing. 

Immediately  after  the  repulse  of  the  marquis  of  Tweeddale, 
the  weatliir  grow  ing  C(dil  ami  the  season  for  military  ojiera- 
tions  dra\\ing  to  a  close,  it  was  determined  to  destroy  Fort 
Erie,  and  evacuate  Upper  Caiuida.  This  was  acc(nilin<ily 
cllecled;  and  the  troops  were  transported  to  the  American  side, 


mt 


: '  i^ 


\h 


240 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


TJk;  Army  reliri'H  into  \\'iiiti.r  Uinirtcr? 


,  liiiporlaiit  Iti'siilts  (It' tin:  ( 'ani|iai!.Mi. 


and  distributed  in  winter  quarters  at  Bullalo,  Black  Ruck  and 
Batavia. 

Tlius  tcrrninatod  the  tliird  invasion  of  Canada,  if  it  could  pro- 
perly be  so  callwd  ;  for  it  was  not  <:ou('rally  expected  that  any 
tiling  furllirr  would  be  accotnplislicd,  ijian  kcciiiiiir  in  check 
the  forces  of  tjie  enemy  and  rciraininf^  what  we  had  lost  on 
ourown  side.  At  the  oj)eiiinjr  of  the  caiii|)aij:n,  jreneral  Brown 
indulged  a  iiope  of  being  able,  in  coiijunciioM  uiih  commodore 
Chauncey,  to  subdue  the  British  forces  in  the  iiciirhhourhood 
of  Lake  Ontario  and  to  possess  himself  of  Kiuusion  ;  but 
towards  the  beginning  of  autumn,  so  material  a  change  had 
occurred  in  our  situation,  in  ecmsecpience  of  the  great  augmen- 
tation of  the  British  force  on  the  Canada  frontier,  and  the  inva- 
sions of  our  territory  on  the  sea  coast,  that  all  idea  of  making 
an  impressiun  on  Canatla,  with  the  means  then  on  loot,  was 
abandoned.  It  was  asserted  by  the  friends  of  tlu;  administra- 
tion, that  the  best  mode  of  protecting  the  Ailaiiiie  coast,  was 
to  threaten  Canada,  and  thus  conij)el  (JriMt  Britain  to  concen- 
trate the  greater  part  of  her  force  in  that  (luarii'r.  \\  hile  ihtj 
British  regulars,  it  has  since  been  ascertained,  exceeded  twenty 
thousand,  nearly  all  veterans  ;  those  of  the  Americans  scarcely 
reached  ten  thoiisand — the  whole  of  which  I'orce,  ilistributed  in 
the  dillerent  Atlantic  cities,  could  not  have  ali'ordcd  much  de- 
pendence lordefence  from  the  troops  which  would  have  been  sent 
ajjainst  them,  had  Great  Britain  been  relieved  fiom  the  ilelence 
of  Canada.  It  is  very  questionable  whether  the  pcrmaiicni  ac- 
quisition of  that  province  would  materially  ha\e  benelited  us. 
INlany  of  its  inhal)itarits  were  jjcrsous  who  Ihd  Iron)  this  country 
during  oin*  contest  for  independence  ;  and  it  was  m)t  likely 
that  they  would  willingly  consent  that  it  should  be  incorporated 
into  our  republic. 

Tlie  most  important  result-,  liowever,  ndiowed  the  campaign 
on  the  ISiiagara.  'J'he  character  of  American  trooj)s  when 
under  proper  discipline,  was  thereby  developed  ;  luid  w  as  pro- 
ductive ol' as  much  honour  to  the  I  nited  Slates,  a.s  of  surprise 
to  the  enemy.  The  exjierience  gained  in  the  two  lirst  years 
of  the  war  was  scarcely  sullicient  to  lorm  jiood  odiccrs  :  but 
during  the  residue  of  the  j)erio(l,  the?  army  was  composed  of 
better  materials,  tlic  aversion  lor  eidistincnt  was  iir;ulually 
subsiding,  and  commissions  were  soul^U  by  young  men  of 
education  and  talents.  Another  year  would  have  produced  an 
army,  whicii  Cireat  Britain  niiirl.'  have  reuarded  with  some 
uneasiness.  'I'hat  spirit,  which  bestows  suj)crioriiy  to  man  in 
every  station,  was  beginning  to  discoser  its  resisdcss  jjower  ; 
and  the  closing  scenes  of  this  campaign  jjlaced  the  army  on  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


241 


(  aiiipiiiLMi. 

Rock  and 

?ouUl  pro- 
1  that  any 

in  check 
1(1  h).sl  on 
nil  l5ro\vn 
[tnunodore 
iboiuhood 
sion  ;  but 
KUijio  had 
il  augnicn- 
1  the  inva- 
()['  making 

loot,  was 
uhninistra- 
coast,  was 
to  concen- 
\\  hile  thtj 
ilrd  twenty 
IS  t^i-arccly 
,tril)Utcd  in 

much  de- 
i'  been  sent 
he  defence 
nianent  ac- 

luilti'd  us. 

lis  country 

not  likely 
icoiporated 

?.  campaign 
»oj)s  when 
id  was  pro- 
of surprise 

first  years 
liccrs  ;  but 
imposed  of 
;  tii-:;du.dly 
no-  men  of 
)r(ulucid  an 
w  iih  some 
y  to  man  in 
.'ss  power  ; 

army  on  a 


I; 


Affairs  ofrhe  West. 


,C'rof;liaii'!< — M'Artliur'8  ExindltioiiH 


level  with  the  navy.  What  is  that  spirit?  It  is  the  spirit  of 
freedom  ;  it  is  that  which  gives  cimscious  diiriiity  and  worth 
to  the  soldier  and  the  citizen.  Il  is  that  which  gave  victories 
to  Greece,  and  gained  triumphs  for  Koine,  and  which  has  car- 
ried the  |i<)wer  of  Britain  round  tiie  globe.  It  was  already  proved 
to  tlie  world,  that  we  could  coiuiiier  on  laud  as  well  as  ;U  sea. 
The  battles  of  Niagara  and  Chippewa,  both,  were  won  by  u 
combination  of  military  skill  and  personal  com-ago  ;  and  the 
defence  of  Fort  Eric,  and  the  sortie  irom  llience,  had  they  l)cen 
achieved  by  the  arms  of  (Ire:il  Urilain,  would  have  ranked 
among  tlie  most  dislingiii>heil  acts  of  valour. 

In  the  course  of  the  summer,  several  expeditions  were  un- 
dertaken to  the  westward.  An  attempt  was  made  by  major 
Croghan,  with  the  co-o]ierati()n  of  the  Meet  of  Lake  I'lie  under 
conniiodore  Sinclair,  to  rcL'^aiii  pos^ession  oi  the  fort  and  island 
of  INlichilimackinac.  On  the  lib  of  Aui:usi,  the  gallant  young 
oflicer  ellected  a  landing  on  the  island,  but  soon  found  that  tlie 
enemy  was  in  such  strengtl)  as  tt)  render  tin;  ca|)ture  of  the 
place  hopeless  :  he  therefore,  alter  a  severe  conilict,  returned 
to  the  sbippinir,  with  the  h)ss  of  aliout  sixty  in  killed  and 
wounded  ;  annuig  the  lormer,  major  llobnes,  a  valuable  ollicer, 
and  of  the  latter  cajjlain  Desha  of  Kentiu-ky.  The  expedition 
was  not  altogether  useless:  I'ort  ISt  .foseph's,  and  the  lirilish 
establishment  at  Sault  St  .Mary's  were  destroyed.  On  leaving 
the  i.-land,  commodore  Sinclair  stationed  two  of  his  sciuxmers, 
the  Scorpion  and  'i'igress,  near  St  Joseph's,  to  cut  od'  the  sup- 
plies of  the  liritish  garrison  at  Alichiliriiackinac.  These  were 
unfortunately  surprised  by  a  very  suix'rior  force  of  the  enemy, 
and  carried  by  buanling,  after  great  slaughter. 

On  the  2'-id  ol'  October,  general  .M 'Arthur,  with  about  seven 
hundred  men,  marched  Irom  Detroit  into  the  enemy's  country, 
and,  alter  dispersing  all  their  detachments  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  the  river  Thames,  destroying  their  stores,  and  takinu'  one 
hundred  and  (illy  prisoners,  arrived,  without  loss,  at  Detroit  on 
the  ITih  of  the  following  numth.  A  severe  injury  was  thus 
indicted  upon  the  British,  and  their  project  of  attacking  Detroit 
rendered  impracticable. 


if  i 


\M 


m 


1^ 


242 


BRACKENKIDGE'S 


War  on  the  Sea  Coast Coniinodore  Barney's  Flotilla. 


1t» 


"n 


CHAPTER  Will. 


War  on  tlin  ?ca  Coast — Kn;!;i!.'<'iii<nis  IkI  .i  en  tlir  i'.iaiiiy  nml  l!;uiit  \  s  I'lolilla  in 
f.'liesapi  akt;  Hay— l'liiii(lfriiii;.s  oI'IIk;  lir  iiisli— \\a>liiiiplciii  :uj<l  Italtiinori'  tlirfatiiiuil 
— rrt'par.itiipns  for  Oi  Iriici  — (.'imui.iI  Winder  .•i|ii)iiinltil  to  ( (iiiiiiiiuul  tli4-  'I'ldops  Im 
he  assciiililcd — Ini|>r!icli(  aliilily  of  rollcciiiiL'  i'  >iilti(i(rit  I'orcc — Arrival  (.f  It-.iiuiiri  < 
mf-nt-s  to  the  Mriiisli — I/imliiiL' oltlic  l!riti-li  .\rni>  iiiidcr  (Iciicrai  lloss— .\d\  ancc  o( 
tlie  Ilritisli  on  WasliiiiL'toii — Aiiirriran  Army  takes  post  at  Uladciislnir!: — I'.altlc  oi 
BladeiisliiirL' — Dct'eal  ot'  lln'  Americans — Washiiicioii  abandoned  to  the  l'.uim>  — 
Hriti>ii  liiirn  tlie  I'nldic-  I'liildlii!:-— Itelreat  of  the  Ilritisli  to  tlicir  Shipping— I'luiider 
of  Alexandria— Kepnlse  of  the  Ilritisli  at  .Moors  rielils,and  Death  of  Sir  I'eter  I'arker— 
Reiiiunatiiin  of  the  Secietary  o|"  \\'ar— Trial  anil  Aeipiitlal  of  (Hiicral  Winder — 
Letter  of  Admiral  Cochrane  to  the  Ameriiaii  Setretar\  of  ftate— His  Hepl\— Ke 
ricclioiis. 

The  fliiflinjT  scones  of  liiis  war,  carru d  on  over  a  i^urlV.ec  .so 
extensive,  niul  willi  ol-jccts  so  various,  once  more  hriiiL""  ns 
back  lo  tlie  Atlanlic  sea  ( oast.  AViili  the  return  ot'sprinij,  ihc 
British  renewed  tlieir  practice  ol'  petty  plundcrinjj  :iiul  barbarous 
devastation  on  the  waters  of  Chesapeake  liay,  and  to  an  e.xteiil 
still  jjreater  than  they  had  carried  it  the  year  belbre.  A  ilotilla, 
ior  the  deliMice  of  the  inlets  and  smaller  rivers  ol' iIh;  l)ay,  con- 
gistinir  of  a  cutter,  two  oiin-hoats  and  nine  hartics,  was  p!;u'C(! 
under  the  command  of  that  gallant  veteran,  comir.oilore  Barmy. 
On  the  1st  of  June  1H14,  he  ^ave  chase  to  two  of  the  enemy's 
schooners,  one  of  which  carried  eiohtccn  jriins,  hut  on  the  ap- 
pearance of  a  lar<re  shiji,  which  despatched  a  number  of  barges 
to  cut  him  olV,  the  commodore  ordereil  his  lloiilla,  by  signal, 
lo  sail  up  the  I'atuxem.  Here  he  engajred  the  eneinv's 
schotmers  and  barges,  and  succeeded  in  healin«r  them  olV  ;'.nd 
inllicting  consideralile  injury  on  them.  In  a  few  tlays,  the 
enemy,  having  been  reinforced,  followed  the  ilotilla  into  St 
lieonaril's  creek,  and  made  another  attempt  on  it,  but  were 
ag^ain  compelled  to  retire,  and  jjursued  to  iheir  ship-^.  On  the 
lOth,  the  enemy  made  a  still  ni(»re  formidai)le  attack  upon  the 
Ilotilla,  with  the  two  schooners  and  with  twenty  barges.  After  a 
snuirt  action,  the  l)arges  were  driven  ior  shelter  lo  the  eighteeii- 
gun  schooner,  which  was  then  so  roughly  handled  at  long  shot, 
that  her  crew  ran  her  aground  and  abandoned  her.      These 


iiiuui 
then 
any  ; 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


243 


otilla. 


i'liiiiili!riii!:s  iiftlii'  Ilriiisli. 


,\\':i:ihiiiutiiii  ami  itiiltiiiiiirc  tlircutt'iit'il. 


\  V  ridlilla  III 
ir  tlinati  iu(l 

llir   'riiMips   I'l 

I  (.t'liiiuforrc 
■J—  Ailvjincf  III 

illli.'— liatllf    nl 

I  lit'   Kilt  my— 

lilillL — I'lllllllll 

I'cltr  I'lirktr— 
cial  Wimlcr— 
U:i   Kii.l\— Uf 


[{  t^urfuce  so 

0  briiiL^  us 
spriiij:,  ilic 
(1  barharous 
()  ail  extent 

A  llotilla, 

(!  hay,  eon- 

was  placed 

jii;  Hariuy. 

ho  eiieiiiy's 

1  on  the  ap- 
er  of  l)artj,L's 
,  hy  si<,nial, 
le  enemy's 
em  oil'  and 
V  (lays,  llie 
illu  into  St 
t,  but  were 
)s.  On  tlie 
I'li  upon  the 
es.  After  a 
he  eijihtecn- 
It  long  shot, 
L'r.      These 


attempts  were  frecjuontly  repeated  initil  the  2Gtii,  when  the 
(•ommod(M'e,  havinj;  reeeived  a  reinforeement  of  artillerists  and 
marines,  moved  against  the  enemy's  S(iuadron,  two  of  the  ves- 


sels  of  which 


d,  aft 


er  an  actn)n  of  two  hours 


IS  oi  wMicn  were  iriiiates,  an( 
drove  them  from  their  anehitrauo.  'I'he  eommotlore,  lindini; 
the  l)htckade  of  the  St  JiConard's  raised,  sailed  out,  and  ascended 
the  Patiixent. 

After  this,  the  enemy  were  constantly  ennajred  in  makinj^ 
inroads  on  the  defeneeh'ss  and  unproteeted  settlements  and  vil- 
lai>ey  a'.on;;  tlic  l)ay  ami  its  various  inlets.  The  towns  of  Hene- 
dict  and  Lower  Alarllioroujrh,  on  the  i*atuxent,  were  plundered 
of  eonsiderahle  ([tiaiilities  of  tobae(M),  merchandize  and  cattle, 
in  the  del  lil  of  these  operations  jriven  by  themselves,  it  appears 
to  have  \)i.'o\\  their  uniform  practice,  to  destroy  the  shippiiifif, 
carry  away  the  tobacco  and  other  articles  which  they  foimd 
in  (piantities,  ami  induce  the  nejrroes  to  join  them.  A  great 
number  of  individuals  in  easy,  and  .  ven  alllucnt  circumstances 
were  reduced  to  poverty.  Several  irallant  attempts  were  made 
by  •'•(Mieral  Taylor,  and  general  lluniierlord,  in  one  of  which 
the  Ibrmer  was  woimded  and  unhorsed  and  narrowly  escaped 
capture,  to  repress  their  incursions  into  \'irginia;  but,  generally, 
the  militia,  iieini,^  hastily  assembled,  were  found  inellleient.  At 
Kinsale,  St  Mary's,  and  various  otiier  places,  admiral  Cock- 
burn  obtained  consid.erable  booty  in  tobacco,  negroes  and  house- 
hold  fm'niture. 

'J'owards  the  close  of  June,  apprehensions  began  to  be  en- 
tertained, that  the  enemy  had  in  view  some  more  serious 
object  of  attack — either  IJaltimore,  or  Washinirton.  Much 
alarm  had  been  felt  in  these  places  the  j)revious  year  ;  i)ut 
alter  il  had  sidisided,  an  (opinion,  probably  well  founded,  was 
induli-ed,  that  a  land  Ibrce,  greatly  more  considerable  than  was 
then  at  the  commrind  of  the  Mriiisli,  would  In;  re(iiiired  to  make 
any  serious  impression  upon  eitiu'r  of  these  plaies,  or  even 
upon  Annapolis  or  Norfolk.  This  was  particularly  proved  in 
the  attack  upon  the  latter;  and  it  was  justly  thought,  that  the 
ene(ny  then  received  a  lesson  wliich  woidd  rendtn-  him  cautious 
of  atiackiuir  the  larger  towns.  Mnt  sudden  and  unforeseen  oc- 
current-es  in  J'^urope  hail  entirely  chanired  the  face  ol"  things : 
(treat  Mritain  was  now  able  to  supply  what  she  was  not  pos- 
sessed of  the  year  before,  a  jiowerfid  land  for»re.  Our  govern- 
ment received  certain  intelligence  from  Messrs  (iallatin  and 
IJayard,  that  our  enemy  was  abinit  to  scuul  powerful  reinforce- 
ments to  America.  From  the  lOnglish  prints  it  appeared  that 
England  was  extravagantly  elated  by  the  great  events  which 
had  transpired  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  took  to  herself  the 


244 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


VVasiiiiigtoii  and  ItiiltiiiKirc  tlireutciicd. 


.Preparations  for  Defence. 


I 

ii 

■■4 


Mi 


whole  merit  of  being  the  conqueror  of  ISapoleon,  and  in  reality 
believed  herself  tiie  mistress  of  the  world.  She  was  well  ac- 
quainted with  our  situation  :  she  knew  that  our  ref^ular  troops 
on  the  Cimada  fr()nli(!r  could  not  heNxilhdrawn  from  thence,  at 
;i  moment  wlicnsiie  \va^^  prejjariufra  powerlul  army  to  jienetratc 
our  noriliern  st.iles  ;  and  that  it  was  impossible  for  us,  in  the 
short  space  of  time  which  had  elapsed  since  the  overthrow  of 
Bonaj)arte  and  the  consecpient  release  of  her  land  troops  from 
occupalion,  to  embody  a  consideriibic  and  ellicient  force.  'J'lie 
American  cities,  aliliouoh  tolerably  well  foriilicil  against  any 
ap])roacli  by  water,  were  all  exposed  to  attack  by  land.  A  few 
thousand  rc<^idars  scattered  alouLr  a  coast  of  lifleen  hundred 
miles,  and  incxixa'icnccd  militia  drawn  toifether  on  the  spur  o! 
the  o(M'asion,  were  all  ilse  huce  we  had  to  oppose  to  the  vete- 
ran soKlicrs  of  our  enemy.  'J'liere  is  no  doubt  tliat  militia 
constiluie  the  best  mat(!rials  for  armies,  because,  individually, 
each  man  is  iiilluiMiced  by  hiji-hcr  motives  than  those  which 
generally  actuate  the  enlistci!  soldier  ;  but,  in  order  to  be  elli- 
cient, to  use  the  words  of  a  gr(,'at  fiiciid  of  this  sjietMes  ol 
force,  *'  tliey  nnisl  be  on  a  right  loot  ;"  they  must  be  encamped, 
discij)lined,  harmonisrul,  accustomed  to  see  daiiger,  and  taught 
to  obey  and  conlide  in  their  ollicers.  This  is  not  the  work  of 
a  day.  In  tlieo])en  lield,  where  active  and  practised  evolutions 
are  necessary,  the  novelty  of  the  duty,  as  well  as  the  want  of 
mutual  reliance,  iend(MS  it  impossible  lor  this  description  of 
force  to  cncounicr,  with  ellrct,  an  army  of  veterans,  used  to 
dangers,  and  so  regidarly  compacted  by  discipline  as  to  act 
as  it  were  with  one  nrmd. 

'J'he  atleniion  of  the  president  of  the  United  States  being 
seriously  awakcuied  to  tl:e  approaching  danger,  by  the  news 
that  reiid'orcements  were  to  \)v  sent  to  the  IJrilish  lleet  then  in 
Chesapeake  May,  he  calletl  a  council  of  the  heads  of  t!ie  depart- 
ments, and  sugirested  the  p»roi)rieiy  of  colhu'iing  all  the  regu- 
lars within  reach,  of  forming  a  camp  of  at  leas!  three  thou- 
sand men  at  some  jioint  between  tlie  Patuxent  and  the  Eastern 
Braui-li  of  tile  Potomac;,  and  of  eml)odying  te;i  thousand  militia 
at  Washiiit^lon.  'riiese  ideas  appeared  to  meet  the  approl)ation 
of  all  ;  and  there  is  little  doubt,  that  coidd  they  have  been  car- 
ried into  execution,  both  the  cities  of  lialtimort;  and  \Vashing- 
ton  might  safely  have  bid  deliance  to  t!;c  British  arms.  Steps 
were  intmediatcly  taken  in  furtherance  of  lhes(;  views.  Ke(juisi- 
tions  were  mad(;  on  the  District  ol'  Cohnnbia,  for  her  v,  hole 
(piola  of  militia,  amounting  to  two  thousand  men  ;  on  Mary- 
land for  the'  same,  six  thousand  men  ;  on  l^ennsylvania  iov  live 
thousand  men;  ami  on  \'iruinia  lor  two  thousand  men:  making 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


245 


Defence. 

in  reality 
i  well  ac- 

ir  troops 
llicnce,  at 
lU'iR'tratc 
us,  ill  ilic 
rilirow  ut 
joj)s  IVom 
ce.  'J'lie 
ainst  anv 
!.     A  leu- 

Iniiulretl 
le  t^jjiir  ol 
•  the  vf'te- 
at  militia 
ivitlually, 
)se  wiiicb 
to  !)('  eOi- 

•pt'tMCS    ol 

iicainped, 
lul  taiijTlit 
e  work  of 
evolutions 
)e  want  of 
liplion  of 
s,  used  to 
as  to  act 

ites  being 

the  iiewii 

!et  then  in 

lie  (Icpart- 

the  rc<ru- 

iree   thou- 

le  Eastern 

uul  militia 

ipr()l)ation 

l)een  ear- 

Washinff- 

IS.      Steps 

Re(|uisi- 

ler  whole 

on  Mary- 

iia  l(»r  live 


1 :  niaknig 


Iinpracticiibility  ()t'r(>lli'ctiiii»  ii  siiltiriint  Forcf. 

in  t!ie  wliole  fifteen  tliotisand  men  ;  of  which  ten  thousand,  it 
was  thouiflit,  would  not  fail  to  lake  the  field.  It  was  ascer- 
tained, that  about  a  thousand  reirulars  could  be  depended  on  ; 
l)esides  a  stiuadrrn  of  horse  then  in  Pennsylvania,  some  addi- 
tional rc'irulars  which  were;  ordered  fr(>m  iN'orih  Carolina,  and 
commodore  Harm  y's  nuMi,  in  case;  ilsliould  be  found  necessary 
to  abandon  !iis  llolilla.  'IMiis,  on  j)aper,  was  a  formiihibh!  army  : 
but,  witli  the  exception  of  the  reL^dars,  the  soldiers  of  which 
it  was  to  be  composed  were  at  their  respective  homes — many 
of  them  at  a  considerable  distance;  and  the  work  of  collectiniJ', 
embodying,  arming  and  discipliiiiiijr  them,  operations  ret^uiring 
time  and  subject  to  delays,  was  yet  to  be  performed. 

A  new  military  district,  composed  of  Alaryland,  the  District 
of  Columbiii  and  part  of  \'i.''ginia,  was  formed  ;  and  on  the  Sth 
of  July  tiie  commaiul  of  it  was  iriven  to  general  Winder,  an 
odicer  who  had  i)cen  taken  prisoner  by  the  IJriiish  at  the  l^attlo 
of  Stony  Creek,  and  wIkj  had  recently  been  exchanged.  'J'he 
duties  assigned  to  him  were  among  the  most  important  entrusleil 
to  anv  one  durinij;  the  war,  and  were  of  an  exceculiii^'lv  ar- 
diious  ami  dillicult  nature.  The  army,  with  wiiich  he  was  to 
defeml  the  imj)ortant  cities  of  JJaltimore  and  Washiiiii^ton,  existed 
only  in  prospect ;  and  whether  it  could  be  brought  into  the  field 
or  not,  dejK'iuli'd  ujion  events  beyoiul  his  control.  In  justice 
to  himsell',  it  is  to  l)e  regretted,  that,  in  these  circumstances, 
he  had  not  declined  the  command  ;  i)ut  the  desire  of  distinction 
and  a  sincere  wish  to  serve;  his  country  overcoming  every  per- 
sonal consideration,  he  diliiientty  enij)!oyeil  himself,  iVoni  the 
moment  of  his  appointment,  in  visiiiim  every  part  of  the  coun- 
try and  examining  its  diderent  forlilications — itself  a  work  of 
considerable  labour  and  time,  and  in  assiduously  collecting  his 
force.  In  this  latter  undertaking,  unexpected  dilhculties  oc- 
curred. The  governor  o\'  Maryland,  alter  issuiiiLT  draughts  for 
three  thousand  men,  found  tliat  scarcely  as  many  hundred  could 
be  collected.  U'ith  the  governor  of  Pennsylvania,  matters  were 
still  worse  :  he  informed  the  secretary  at  war,  that  in  conse- 
quence of  the  deranged  stale  of  the  mili'ia  law,  tlie  executive 
had  at  that  moment  no  power  to  enforce  a  draught ;  but  that 
he  would  appeal  to  the  patriotism  of  the  people,  in  the  hope 
that  the  legal  objection  would  not  be  made.  Seven  thousand 
men  were  thus  at  once  out  of  the  question,  and  of  the  remain- 
ing eight  thousand  men,  not  more  than  one-third  could  be 
relied  on.  At  the  beginning  of  August,  the  general  had  but  a 
thousand  regulars,  actually  collected  ;  and  about  four  thousand 
militia,  of  which  only  the  smaller  part  were  collected.  On 
the  failure  of  the  draught  in  the  state  of  iMaryland,  the  force 


1 


I 


{ 


240 


imACKENRIDGE'S 


•  n 


Arrival  ol'  Uciiifurceiiieiitu  tu  llic  liritisli Lnnding  uf  tiie  Uriti.<ili  Army. 


then  nmbodiod  nl  Annapolis  was,  by  the  consent  of  the  jrover- 
iior,  t:iUi!M  as  part  of  ihe  stale  rcMiui.sition.  A  hi-iijaih;  of  Mary- 
land militia,  luulcr  irenoral  Stansl)nry,  was  also  phicod  at  the 
disposal  of  general  Wind'.^r  ;  hut  the  inhahitanls  oi'  Haltiniorc, 
near  which  citv  it  was  collected,  rccoUcciin^r  their  own  exposed 


situalion,  could  not  part  with  it  witlioiii  reluctance. 

This  is  a  candid  siateinenl  of  the  causes  which  produced  tlie 
siibseipient  disaster;  for  in  the  circumstances  the  event  coidil 
scarcely  have  happened  otherwise  than  as  it  did,  without  the 
occuri'cnce  ol"  one  of  those  e.vlraordinai v  turns  of  lortiui',',  of 


\\ 


hie! 


I  we  can  form  no  calculation. 


h 


would  oe  wroiiif  to  c,ia 


rge 


the  lilame,  which  was  justly  due,  exclusively  to  the  a<(ents  in 
the  allair.     A  |)ortion  must  be  assumed  by  tjie  nation,  and  by 


our  pol 


itical 


iiistituln)ns. 


'I'he  (ixpected  reinforcements  to  the  I'ritisli  llect,  twenty-one 
sail  ol' the  line,  under  ailmiral  Cochrane,  arrived  in  (-lu'sapeake 
IJay  on  the  IGth  of  Auirust,  and  were  soon  joined  l)y  a  ih-et  in 
great  forc(!  undiu' admiral  Malcolm.  Accompanying  these  were 
several  thousand  land  troops,  under  one;  of  Welliniiton's  most 
active  ollicers,  general  Koss.  An  expedition  was  destined 
against  Baltimore  or  Wasiiington,  i)ut  until  the  last  moment  it 
was  uncertain  against  which  in  particular,  'i'lie  enemy  divided 
his  force  into  three  parts.  One  division  was  sent  up  the  Poto- 
mac, imder  cajjtain   Gordon,   for  the  piu'posc 


o 


f    I 


)o!n!)ar(iinf 


Fort  Warburton,  and  opening  tiie  way  to  the  city  of  Washing- 
ton;  anil  another,  under  sir  I'cter  Parker,  was  despatched  to 
threaten  Haliimore.  'I'he  main  body,  whose  ])roceedings  we 
are  now  to  relate,  ascended  the  Patuxenl,  apparently  with  the 
intention  of  destroying  commodore  barney's  llolilla,  which  hail 
taken  refuge  at  the  head  of  that  rivci,  but  with  the  real  inten- 
tion, as  it  was  sooii  discovered,  of  attacking  \V.ishington.  In 
prosecution  of  this  plan,  the  expedition  proceeded  to  Henedict, 
the  head  of  frigate  na\igation.  'I'his  place,  on  the  west  bank 
of  th'j  I'atuxent,  was  reached  on  tlie  lOlh  of  August;  and  on 
the  next  day  the  debarkation  of  the  land  forces  under  ge- 
neral Koss,  to  the  niunber  of  six  thousand,  was  completed. 
On  the  Ulst,  j)ursuing  the  course  of  the  river,  the  troops  moved 
to  Nottingham,  and  on  the  2'id  arrived  at  Ui)per  .Marlborough; 
a  llolilla,  consisting  of  launches  and  barges,  under  the  command 
of  admiral  Cockbm-n,  ascending  the  river  and  keeping  pace 
with  them.  The  d;iy  following,  the  flotilla  of  commodore  Bar- 
ney, in  obedience  to  orders  to  tliai  elh.ct,  was  blown  up  I)y  men 
left  for  the  j)urpose ;  the  commodore  having  already  joined 
general  Winder  with  his  seamen  and  marines. 

General  Winder  at  tiiis  time,  when  the  enemy  were  within 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


247 


1  Army. 

e  gover- 
)l'  .M;iry- 
(1  at  ihe 
iltimorc, 
exposed 

need  tlio 
'lit  could 
ilioiii  the 
rtui!'.',  of 
to  ciiarsre 
ijfciits  in 
I,  iiiid  l)y 

cnty-oue 
i!sni)eake 
a  ilret  ill 
(se  were 
ju'si  most 
de^;lined 
loment  it 
y  divided 
llie  Poto- 
siiharding 
U'ashiiig- 
aiclied  to 
ilinirs  we 
with  the 
•hich  had 
;al  intcn- 
iiton.  In 
lU'iindiot, 
vvsi  hank 
;  and  on 
jnder  ge- 
Dinpleted. 
p.s  moved 
liorough ; 
command 
ling  pace 
(lore  IJar- 
p  l)y  men 
Jy  joined 

ire  within 


Ail\  .'Hire  of  tilt.'  Ilriti^h  nii  Wasliiiiutdii. 


I 


twenty  miles  of  the  cai)ital,  \vas  at  iho  jiead  of  only  three  thou- 
sand men,  lirieen  hiiu(h'cd  ol"  whom  were  militia  entirely  un- 
tried. The  IJaltimort^  militia,  ihost;  from  Annapolis,  and  the 
Virginia  (h.'iachment,  had  not  yet  arrived.  Ili.s  c-ainp  was  at 
the  Woodyard,  twelve  miles  from  \\  ashini,Mon.  li  was  still 
douotl'id    wlifihcr  till'   iJritish   intended  an   attack    upon    I'ort 


W 


irhurton,   wnieh    could  oiler    hut    littU-   riisistanee    to    tlieir 


land   forces,  allliou^h   it   could    he  formidal)le  to   their    ships, 


or  mteiKUMl  to  march  dirccily  on  W  ashmulon.  1  he  lirsl  was 
cerlaiuly  tin;  safer  course  of  actioti,  and  as  tlu;  ene:ny  did  not 
take  it,  it  must  he  inferred  thai  they  were  well  acquainlc.'d  with 
the  incapatMiy  of  tlu;  city  at  this  nuimeut  to  resist  an  attack. 
On  the  alUMMioon  of  the  '-I'-ld,  the  Hriiish  army  w^-uw  s(;i  out,  and 
after  skirmis'iing  with  the  Americans,  halted  for  the  niii'ht,  five 
miles  in  adviuu-e  ol'  Upper  Mu-niorouirh.  (JcMiend  Winder 
now  retreated  to  a  place  called  tlie  Old  Fields,  which  covered 
131adensl)urg,  the  hridgcs  on  the  l^asiern  Hrauch  of  the  Poto- 
mac, and  Fort  \Varl)urton.  (Jolouel  .Monroe,  the  secretary  of 
state,  aiul  sul)se(pieiuly  president  of  the  United  SlaliJS,  had 
been  with  him  for  several  days,  assisting  him  with  his  coun- 
sel, and  actively  engaiied  in  reconnoilering  the  enemy  ;  and 
he  was  now  joined  by  the  presidc-nt  and  heads  of  departujents, 
who  remained  until  the;  next  evenini,''.  'i'lie  anxious  and  pain- 
ful situation  of  the  LTciieral  rendered  him  desirous  of  Ix.'uelitinij 
by  the  counsel  of  t!ie  first  ollicers  of  the  nation  ;  and  their 
imeasiness,  in  tlu;  urgency  of  the  moment,  induced  them  to 
hazard  their  opinions,  j)erhaps  loo  freely,  on  m.ittcrs  purely 
execuiivci.  Where  prompt  decision  is  necessary,  the  sugges- 
tions and  expeilients  of  too  many  minds  do  more  harm  than 
good.  On  the  23(1,  colonel  8coit  and  major  Peter  were  detached 
with  some  field  j)ieces,  and  the  companies  of  (.'apiains  David- 
son and  Siull,  to  skirsiiisii  with  the  eueiny  ;  who  however  con- 
tinued to  advaiu^e,  and  look  a  position,  on  the  eveniiiLf  of  the 
same  day,  within  tliri;.;  miles  of  Old  Fields.  .Vp[)rehensive 
of  a  night  attack,  which  would  deprive  him  of  his  great  supe- 
riority ill  cannon,  sieiujral  Winder  retired  to  the  city,  intending 
to  select  a  position  In'twecui  it  ami  lihulensburg,  where  he 
might  oppose  the  enemy  with  his  whole  force. 

On  the  preceding  evening,  general  Stanshury  had  arrived  with 
his  l)rii:a{Ie  at  I'ladenshurg,  after  a  very  fatiguing  march,  and 
immediately  despatcluul  his  aid,  major  Woodyear,  with  the 
intelligence  to  geiuual  Winder.  On  tin!  evening  following,  he 
was  joined  by  colonel  Slerrett's,  the  Fifih  iialiiinore,  reiximent, 
live  hundred  strong,  and  a  rille  battalion  under  major  I'inkney, 
late  attorney-general  of  the  United  States.       Ocmeral   ytans- 


r . ' 


;.  I 


il 


h 


2iR 


liKACKKXUIDfJr/S 


AiiiitIi  jiii  Army  lakcn  post  at  lllatlni^tliiim. 


'I  i 


bury's  coinruaiKl  Mimnmicd  to  l\v(»  tltoiisniid  men.  About 
twelve  o'clock  at  iiiijlit,  the  secretary  of  slate  arrived  at  the 
^(Oiierars  {|iiarters,  and  cDnnimiiiealiiii:  the  circiiiti'^tance  nf  the 
enemy's  advaiiee  on  L^eiUTal  Wiiith-r,  advised  him  to  lall  in 
the  enemy's  roar  immediately  ;  hut  the  L'eneral  (thjeeteil,  o: 
tlie  score  of  havinii  Ix'cn  onh-red  to  this  p(.sf,  and  hesides,  thai 
l»is  men  \ver(!  .so  much  harassed  ami  latii^ued  hy  their  marcfi 
(a  coiisidorahle  portion  haviii"-  oidy  just  arrived),  that  it  uoidd  he 
inipracticahle.  Durinir  l!io  niLrht  sever;d  false  alarms  were  ^fiveii, 
hy  whicii  the;  tr()()|)s  were  prevenled  front  takinjif  th'.^  repose 
they  so  mnch  rcMjuired,  after  fati<ines  to  which  the  greater  jKirt 
of  them  were  nnaecnstomi'd.  On  the  receipt  of  the  inlelli- 
f^enee  of  <j:(!ncral  Winder's  retreat,  •general  Stanshiiry,  on  eonsid- 
lali(m  with  his  ollicers,  determined  to  move  towards  tin;  eity. 
IJefort!  day  he  crossed  the  l)rid!'e  over  tiie  Mastern  !'raiich  of 
th(!  lN»tomac,  and  after  securinir  his  rear,  halted  for  a  few  hours. 
Early  in  the  mornitiix  hoasraiii  moved  forward,  with  the  view  of 
lakin<^  poss^ession  of  .some  H:round  for  d(;fence,  when  orders 
were  received  from  general  Winder  to  <>ive  hatile  to  the 
enenty  at  IJladeiisinirir ;  he  therefore  retraced  his  steps,  and 
between  ton  and  eleven  o'l-lock  halted  iiis  troops  in  an  orchard 
iield,  to  the  left  of  the  r<tad  from  Washiniiton  to  that  place. 
The  enemy  were  then  within  three  miles  of  him,  and  in  lull 
marcli. 

The  host  arrantrenients  the  tiim;  would  permit  were  made. 
About  live  luindred  yards  from  the  bridire,  the  artillery  from 
IJaltimore,  consisting  of  six  six-pounders,  under  the  command 
of  captains  Myers  and  Maij^ruder,  were  posted  behind  a  kind  of 
breastwork  ;  ami  major  IMukney's  rillemen  were  placed  in  am- 
bush to  the  rii,dit  and  left,  so  as  to  annoy  the  eiuMuy  when  at- 
temptinir  to  cross  'lie  stream,  and  at  the  same  lime,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  captain  Douiihty's  company,  to  support  tiie  artillery. 
Tiie  Fifth  Baltimore  retriment  was  drawn  uj)  al)out  fifty  yards 
in  the  re;ir  ;  and  aiierwards,  pcM'haps  injudiciously,  removed 
much  further.  'I'iie  other  ])arls  of  the  i)ri;i^ado  were  also  so  dis- 
posed, as  to  support  the  artillery,  and  annoy  the  enemy  in  his 
approach.  Shortly  after  this  disp()sition  was  made,  lieu:enant- 
colonel  IJeall  arrived  with  about  live  hundred  men  from  Anna- 
])olis,  and  was  posted  higher  up  in  a  wood  on  the  rioht  of  the  road. 
General  Winder  havin<»',  by  this  time,  broutrht  up  his  main 
body,  had  formed  it  in  the  rear  of  Stans!)ury's  brigade,  and  in 
a  line  with  Beall's  detachment,  and  the  heavy  artillery  nnder 
commodore  Barney  posted  to  the  right  on  an  eminence  near  the 
road.  This  line  had  scarcely  been  formed,  when  the  engage- 
ment commenced.     The  president,  with  the  heads  of  the  depart- 


IIISTOIIY  OF  Tllli:  WAll. 


240 


^:^^i 


Hattl)-  1)1'  Itliidi'tiHliiirL'. 


Ahoiit 

il  at  the 
(•(•  of  the 
)  fall  i>t 
ctcil,  o: 
di'A,  thill 
iiiarcli 
would  bo 
ru  ^ivoii, 
?  rnpo.so 
iiter  part 
V  iiMf'lli- 

•11  I'olisul- 

tli(!  city. 
Jraiii'li  of 
'\v  hours. 

0  view  of 
II  orders 
e  to  tlic 
lop.s,  and 
11  orchard 
lal  |)lace. 
ul  ill  i'tdl 

•re  made. 
cry  iVom 
coiniiiaiid 
a  kind  of 
(h1  in  aiu- 
when  at- 

1  coiijnnc- 
artillcry. 

fty  yards 
removed 
so  so  dis- 
11  y  in  his 
icv.:Pi)ant- 
)in  Aniia- 
fthc  road, 
his  main 
e,  and  in 
;ry  under 
[)  near  the 
B  engage- 
he  depart- 


ments, who  had  until  now  hoen  pre.'^cnl,  withdrew  ;  as  he  con- 
ceived it  proper  to  leave  the  direction  ol  the  condjat  to  the 
military  men. 

AhoHt  twelve  o'clock  of  llie2'ltli,a  coliitnn  of  the  enemy  made 
its  a|)pearance  on  liie  lull  which  overhan;:s  the  sire;iin,  and 
moveil  down  towards  the  hridjic,  throwing  nickels,  and  appa- 
rently determined  to  force  tlie  passage.  lie  now  iiiiiih!  an 
altenijJt  to  throw  a  stroiiu'  body  of  inl.mlry  aiross  the  siream, 
but  a  lew  well  direcied  shot  IVom  the  artdlery  compelled  him 
to  sheller  iiiiiiseif  behind  sonu;  houses.  Alier  a  ciin>iileiable 
pause,  a  large  enliiinii  (d' the  IJrilish  rapidly  advance. I  in  i!ie  face 
of  the  battery,  which,  althonudi  managed  liy  olliccrs  of  ackiiow- 
]e(l<ied  .skill  and  coiira<i(',  was  nnabh;  to  repress  them  ;  and  ihi^y 
eoniinued  to  push  forward,  until  they  formed  a  considerable 
body  on  the  Wasliiniiioii  road.  Thesi!  troops  had  not  ad- 
vanced far.  when  ihe  c(mipany  imder  captain  l)tMi<ihi\",  ha\ing 
discharged  their  pieces,  lied,  in  spite  of  the  eliorls  o\'  their  com- 
mander and  of  major  I'inkney  to  rally  them,  'i'he  major's 
corps  began  its  liri;  loo  soon,  Imt  diil  some  execniion.  'I'hc 
British  now  were?  every  nn)nient  drawing  nearer  the  artillery, 
whii'h  et)nld  no  longer  be  broiighl  to  l)ear  n|)on  them.  In  the 
absence!  of  troops  to  support  them,  it  became  niiav.»id:ib!y  neces- 
sary for  tlie  artillerists  to  retire,  whiidi  they  did,  followctl  by 
major  l^inkiiey's  rillemen,  ami  leaving  one  irim  behind  them. 
The  whole  fell  back  upon  the  Fifth  regiment,  the  nearest  rally- 
ing point.  A  volunteer  company  of  artillery  now  opened  a 
cross  lire  upon  the  eiiemv,  who  were  advaneiiiir  ibrouifh  the 
orcharil,  but  not  with  much  eilect.  ('oloiud  Sierretl  was  next 
direcied  to  advance;  but  In;  was  almost  immediattdy  haltcid  in 
conse(|uence  of  the  oilier  two  regiments  of  J^'.tansbury's  brigade 
iiaving  b(!en  thrown  into  confusion  by  roekeis  and  beiiun  to 
jjive  wav.  In  a  few  minutes  tliev  took  to  lliirht.  Sierrelt's 
regiment  (!vinced  a  disposition  to  make  a  gallant  resistance  ; 
but  the  enemy  haviiii,^  by  this  time  oullianked  il,  a  rnicat  was 
ordered.  'I'his  unfortunately  was  ellecled  in  coiilusiou  and  dis- 
order, the  uiia\()i(lable  coiiseipieiice  (d"  the  retreat  of  militia. 
'J'hus  the  iii->t  line  was  completely  routed.  'J'he  I'aliimore  ar- 
tillery had,  before  this,  taken  a  position  hiirher  uj)  oa  llii!  hill. 
On  the  right,  colonel  IJeall,  coiiiinandinii:  tlu,'  Annapolis  militia, 
had  thrown  forward  a  small  deiacliment  under  colomd  Kramer, 
which,  after  maintaininir  its  i:r»Miad  some  tiim;  with  consider- 
able injury  to  the  enemy,  retired  upon  the  main  bsidy.  On  the 
rcireal  of  this  deiachment,  the  enemy  advanced  aloini"  the  turii- 
jiike  road,  and  coming  in  front  of  commodore  IJarmiy's  artillery, 
were  exposed  to  the  lire  of  an  eighteen-pounder,  by  which  their 


m 


i 


250 


liKACKL:NHir)(;E'S 


m 


lliittic  III  lll;iilrii«liiir;r DrlViit  nt  ilir  Am*  rirnnf*. 

progress  was  checked;  and  in  several  suhseqiitrU  altempts  to 
pass  tlie  l»allery,  they  were  repulsed  uilh  jjr(  at  hiss.  In  con- 
set|ueneu  «)l  this,  iliey  altempled  to  (lank  the  conitnodore's 
ri^lit,  hy  passiiiK  throiiiih  an  open  liehl  ;  hut  this  was  fnistralcd 
hy  capiaiii  iMiller  of  ihr   iiiariiicM,  with  three  twelve-pomuhirs, 


mid  the  men  nl'thi;  Ihitilhi  actiii*;  as  inraiitry.  Alter  heiiig  thus 
kej)t  ill  elu'ck  lor  half  an  hour,  the  eueniy  succeeded  in  out- 
Ihudiiiijr  the  jiirlit  (d' the  hatiery  ;  and  |)rcssed  upon  the   militia 


o 


r  An 


nap»il:s,  who  lied,  alter  uiviiiji'  an    lUi 


Ih'i-ti 


lal   tire. 


'J'Ik 


('(Mninaiid  of  eonunodiire  liarney  was  now  left  to  maintain  the 
contest  alone  :  hut  the  enemy  no  Ioniser  appeared  in  I'ront ;  he 
continued  to  outdank,  pnshinjr  lorwaril  a  lew  scatterinij  sharp- 
s!i()(»ters,  hy  which  the  eoinmodore  was  woundeil  and  his  horse 
killed  under  him.      His  corps  was  hy  this   Umv  oiitllanked 


)otli  sKlis;  two  ol  his   pnn.-ipal   ollicerrf  were   kided,  am 


d  I 


on 
wo 


others  wounded;  and,  in  the  conriision,  the  ammunition  wagons 
had  heen  driven  oil'.  His  men  thendore  retreated,  leaving 
their  pieces  in  the  hands  o|  the  eneniv.  'J'lie  commodore  him- 
s(dr,  alter  retiring  a  short  distance,  Tell,  exhausted  hy  loss  of 
blood,  to  the  ground,  lieiiig  taken  prisoner  hy  l\\i:  eneniy»  he 
was  treaKul  with  that  courtesy  whiidi  his  gallantry  merited, 
and  received  the  immediate  attendance  of  their  surgeons. 

The  (Jeorgetown  and  ('ity  militia,  and  the  r(\Lndars,  still  re- 
mained linn,  having  heen  stationed  in  the  rear  ol'  the  second 
line,  in  positions  tin?  most  convenient  lor  aum)ying  the  enemy 
and  supporting  the  other  corps.  These  being  in  danger  every 
moment  of  iieiiig  onillank(Ml,  ordiu's  wert;  s(,'nt  t(»  them  to 
retreat  towards  the  city.  After  retiring  a  f(Mv  hundred  paces 
as  directed,  they  were  joined  by  a  regiuu'ut  of  Virginia  militia, 
which  had  arrived  the  evening  behire,  but  had  not  been  ready 
until  now  to  take  the  field,  (general  Winder  still  entertained 
hopes  of  IxMug  able  to  rally  his  troops,  and  of  liuhting  the 
enemy  between  this  j)lace  and  Washington.  He  had  ordered 
tlic  IJallimore  artillery  to  move  on  towards  the  city  ;  and  ex- 
pected io  iiiid  that  I^^tansbury's  commaiul  had  fallen  down  the 
road  to  that  phute.  ^Vilh  the  view  of  makiuir  another  stniirglc  to 
save  the  capital,  he  nxh?  forward  for  tlu;  purpose  of  selecting 
a  position  ;  but  he  s(>on  foinul  that,  insteail  of  proceeding  towards 
Washiuufton,  they  had  scattered  in  every  (lirection.  It  after- 
wards a|)peared,  that  the  greater  part  had  lied  towards  Mont- 
goiriery  Courthouse,  'i'he  ('ity  and  G'eorirelown  militia  were 
thus  compelled  to  retire,  without  having  had  the  slightest  op- 
portunity of  defending  their  homes  and  their  firesides.  On 
his  arrival  at  the  city,  general  Winder  was  met  by  the  secre- 
tary at  war  and  the  secretary  of  slate  ;  and  after  a  consulta- 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAR. 


231 


WantiiMuitiiti  aliaiHliiiicil  tn  tin;  h'.iirtiiv. 


tion,  it  was  ntrreeii,  ihnt,  with  the  miiuiU  remuins  of  the  nriiiy, 
it  was  in  vain  to  think  of  inakiiif^^  a  siaiid  there.  It  was  there- 
fore propost'd  to  rally  the  troops  on  the  Iltij^htsof  (Jcor^ctown. 
'I'hc  ifeiicral  soon  foiind,  how«'vrr,  that  hiil  lew  of  the  niihtia 
could  1)1'  ciillcftcil.  S(»n>c  liad  htraycd  oil'  iti  siari'li  ol"  loud  or 
refrcshnicnt,  lia\in<^  tiuH'crcd  ninch  dtirinir  the  day  ;  and  th<>ae 
who  reniaint'd  wi-re  exhausted  hy  the  privations  and  falii  lU'S 
whieh  they  had  experienced.  'I  lie  next  day  he  proeeedi'il, 
wilh  such  as  he  could  colled,  to  Monliroineiy . 

Thus  did  we  experience  the  niortilic  .lion  'Jor  it  was  nnire 
a  niatt(;r  oT  I'l  i  linjr  than  of  aetinxl  injury)  e»t  ha\inir  our  capital 
entered  hy  a  hostile  army.  It  was  a  leat  ol"  desperate  teme- 
rity on  the  part  ol'  an  enemy  who  was  compelled  to  retire 
as  rapiilly  as  he  had  appro;iclietl ;  and  had  no  ellcct  iijxjn  the 
contest,  tither  than  to  exasperate  the   people  of  this   «'(»untry 


I'holh 


u 


on  tlu.'  war. 


1  poiitK'al  parMes,  and  to  ('.ispose  tliem  to  e.iiiie  in  carrying 


I 


o  i.se  tlu!  Common   lan^iiiaiM-,  it  was  tie;  name 


ol  the  thiiiii:  which  caused  the  wound  ;  I'or  there  was  nolliinj; 
wonderlid  m  a  larire  l)(»dy  ol'  veteran  soldiers  stealinir  a  nunnrh 
upon  an  iinrmtilied  town,  and  ileleatiu!;  an  I'qual  numlicrot'raw 
militia.  The  jrreater  part  of  our  troops  had  arrived  on  the 
spot  so  short  :i  lime  hel'orc  tlie  hatilc,  thai  ili.y  were  not  j>er- 
mitted  to  take  any  repose  from  tlu'ir  faliiiue;  tht'  diircreni 
corps  and  their  oliicers  were  unknown  to  each  other,  ami  to 
t!iu  commamler;  and  the;  arranjiemenls  for  lueetinL''  a  powerlul 
re^i^ular  foict;  wire  mailo  at  the  very  monu  at  ol'  hatilc.  'I'hat 
we  shoidd  ha\e  heeii  defeated  under  such  circumst.'.uccs,  is  not 
to  he  wondered  at,  and  luruishes  no  inferesicc  uufavoiirahh;  to 
militia,  or  to  the  oliicers  who  commanded.  'J'lie  IJriti.-h  troops 
would  prohah!)  ha\e  met  with  the  same  success,  had  they  nioNcd 
ill  that  m(nn»:iit  liirainst  any  of  the  lander  cities  which  were  no 
better  j)repar((l  than  \\  a>hiiititon.  'i'he  censure  pas-fd  u|»on 
•fencral  Winder,  who  had  already  been  nnhu'tunate,  hut  always 
nn^ritorious,  was  undeserved  ;  as  the  task  ^\  hich  he  undertook 
was  exceetliii^lv  arduous.  To  make  success  the  crit«'rion  of 
merit  in  all  i*ases,  would  be  highly  unjust  ;  it  would  he  to  imi- 
tate the  tyrants  of  Turkey,  who  make  their  generals  pay  for 
mififortunes,  hv  the  forfeit  of  their  lives. 

The  loss  of  the  Hritish  in  tlu;  battle  of  Bladensbur:^  was  lit- 
tle short  of  a  ihousand  men  killeil,  wouiuKtl  or  missuiL*'  :  that 
of  the  American.',  1/eiween  thirty  and  forty  killed,  from  liliy  to 
sixty  wounded,  and  about  one  hundred  am!  twenty  taken  pri- 
soners. By  the  issue  of  this  battle,  general  Ross  obtained 
possession  of  the  bridge  over  the  Eastern  liranch  of  the 
Potomac.     After  halting  his  army  for  a  short  time  for  refie.-!i- 


252 


BHACKEiNRIDGE'S 


liritisli  liiirn  llj>    I'lililic  i(iiil(liii(!s  at  VViisliiiiKton RctrtNit  to  tlicir  Shipping;, 

nieiils,  \\o  moved  (Hi  to  Washiiii^lon,  where  Ik;  arrived  about 
eight  o'ciock   i!ie  same  evening.      Havinfr  stationed   his  ntiiin 


body  at  the  distaiict!  of  a   mih'   and  a  halt',  he  entered   the  ci 


ly 


at  the  head  ol' about  seven  lumdred  men,  withtnit  meetinir  anv 
"1 


)|)()siii()n. 


in   the  American   metrojxdis,  or  rather  its  site,  the   Hritisli 
d)(Mil  nine   hnnthcd   houses,  scattered    in   jiioii])s  over  a 


foimd 

siirlace  of  three  miles;  and  two  spiendu 

as 


I  bud 


{lin''s, 


the  i 


ajiilol, 


yet  iinlini!-hed,  and  the  President's  llon>e,  anH)ng  the  linest 
speeimeiis  dl  arfhiieciure  in  the  ih'w  world  Orders,  issued  by 
admiral  ('(i«Lbiirn  and   <:eiieral  Koss,   tor  the  eonllatiralion  of 


these  n(il»le  f'diliees,  were   immedialelv  exceiitcd 


'I'he 


irri^at 


bridge  aiTdss  the  Totomae  was  also  wantoidy  burnt  ;  toifeiher 
with  an  clcijanl  hotel,  and  several  other  j)rivate  dwellings,  'I'jiis 
barl)ar(»iis  (iesirueti(»ii  is  detailed  in  the  ollieial  letter  ol  the  lirit- 
ish  general,  in  a  matmer  oliJerreet  indillereiu'e  !  'I'ln?  blaze  pro- 
duced b\  ihe  <Miiill:!giation  was  seen  even  in  Hallimore.  All  that 
cnmbustibic  alxMit  the  ('apit(»l  and  the  I'lcsidciu's  !l(Mise, 


w 


incliKlinii  therein  all  tlie  lurniiure  ami  articles  oi  lasie  en*  value 
and  the  xalnanle  libraries  of  the  senate  ami  house  oi"  repn-senta- 
ti\-es,  w  as  rediired  to  ashes  ;  and  the  \\  alls  ol'ihese  stalely  build- 
ings, blai'keiied  wii.i  smoke  and  in  nielaiich(»ly  ruin,  riMuaiiu'd, 
lor  a  lime,  ibi-  menumentsot  Hritish  baibaiiiy.  All  the  public 
buildings,  wiih  tlu;  exception  ol  tlie  patent  ollice,  shared  the 
same  late.  'I'he  public  stores,  ^e^seis  and  buildmiis  at  the  navy 
yaril  had  bet  ii  ilesiroyed  by  order  ol'  uoveriiment,  to  prevent 
tluMH  Iroui  lalliiii!'  into  the  enemy's  liamls.  \\  hat  remained  was 
destroyed  liv  the  enemy,  who  took  j)articul:'.r  |)aiiis  to  imililate 
the  beauiil'iil  nM)iminenl  erected  in  honour  ol'  the  na\al  heroes 
who  lell  a!  Tripoli.  The  ])luiiderinL[  of  pri\a(e  rouses  was  not 
carried  on  to  tin-  e.Meut  that  niiiihl  havt;  been  exj/'cted,  proba- 
bly from  the  :-hortiiess  ol  tlu;  linu!  tluring  which  the  liritisfi 
remaim  (I.  On  the  evening  of  the  follow  ing  tlay,  the  25lli  of 
August,  ilicv  retreated  l'r(un  Wa.xhinglon. 

it  lieiiig  now  conjectured  that  the  enemy  meant  to  piocetjd 
immedialelv  to  Haltimore,  tin;  inhabitanis  of  that  place  were 
thrown  iiHo  ihi!  lireaiesi  consternation,  aleelin<:  wliirh  iht'  arri- 
val of  the  eitv  militia  Irtun  the  field  of  lialtlt!  was  not  likel\'  to 
allay.  .Nntw  ilhstandiiiii  this  dishearteninir  j)anic.  the  citizens, 
rejecting  all  thoughts  ol  (•apitulali(m,  prepared  themselves  under 
generals  Smith  aiul  SiricktT  to  o|)pt»se  llu!  enemy  :  and  in  all 
probal)iliiy,  they  would  have  made  that  desperate  resistance 
wliicb  renders  int^xperienced  trooj)s,  when  liL'hting  lor  their 
laiiiilies  a, id  their  homes, sunerior  even  to  veterans.  Tlicst;  mea- 
surcs  proved  to  be  unnecessary  however.    General  K'oss  returned 

4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


253 


k  -f. 


Plunder  of  Alexan<Iria ''ppiiisc  of  the  Hritish  at  Moors  Firld-i. 

over  the  snrno  road  liy  wliicli  lie  had  jidvanccd.  lie  did  not 
reach.  Benedict  iiiilil  the  evciiinir  <»!  thr  27th;  and  in  such 
stratTgliiig  conlnsioii  was  this  rnovcniiMit  cirtclcd,  that  his  troops 
wore  the  appearance  of  a  vaiuiuislied  rather  than  a  viciorions 
army. 

The  squadron  under  capt:iiii  CJordon,  (hat  division  of  the 
enemy's  lleei  which  ascended  the  Potomac,  and  consisting  of 
eij^ht  sail,  |)assed  l''ort  Warhnrton  two  days  after  the  retreat  of 


the  Hritish  from  Washington 

I) 


Th 


nyl 


id   heen  ai)an(lone( 


an( 


Mown  np  liy  captain   Itysoii,  the  commatulant,  m   a   most 
extraorchnary   manner,   [irohaMy  iindir    the    influence  of   the 


lrea( 


Hid 


l)ani(t   wliifh    <ri':icrallv   itrcvaikMl 


II 


!s   orders 


had 


been  to  ahand(Ui  it  cidy  m  case  of  an  ailack  i)y  l::iid  forces  ; 
hut  on  a  mere  rumour,  and  without  waitiu'i  the  enemy's  ap- 
proach, he  thouiihi  [>r(i|)('r  lo  lake  tiiis  measure.  On  thct29tli, 
the  S(|uadron  rea(  lied  Ah'xandri  i  ;  and  the  iidia!)il.nits  id  thai 
place,  heiu"  completely  in  the  power  of  the  eiUMny,  ollered 
terms  for  the  preservation  of  the  town  from  conllatiraticm  and 
pilla^re.  'J'he  insaliahle  avarice  of  the  latter  imposed  the 
hardest  conditiotis  :  all  the  merchandise  then  in  the  town,  as 
well  as  all  uliudi  had  Ix en  removed  ihe:ic(!  since  the  I'.Mli,  was 
recpiired  to  be  put  en  hoard  tin- shippMisr  at  ihc  wharf,  at  the  ex- 
jM.nse  of  the  inhalvitants,  and.  tnircilicr  w  ith  the  shipping,  includ- 
iuif  those  vessels  which  had  been  suid<  (Ui  the  approach  ol 


the 
eiu'inv,  and  the  j)u!'lic  and  j)rivate  naval  and  ordi;an<'(!  stores,  lo 


be 


ileliverei!  up  to  the  enemy 


Tl 


lese  terms,  somewhat  modi 


died, 


were  complied  with  ;  and  captain  (.'ordon  nio\ed  down  the  river 
with  a  lleei  of  prize  vessels  and  a  ri(di  booty.  In  the  mean- 
time, preparations  had  been  hastily  made,  !iy  ilu;  naval  heroes 
captains  i'orler  and  i'erry,  to  throw  ditliciiliies  in  the  way  ot 
his  descent.  The  first,  at  the  battery  of  t!ie  White  House, 
was  assisted  l»y  general  lIuiiL'^erlbrd'H  briirade  of  \'ir<;inia 
militia,  and  ca|)tain  Humphreys's  rifle  cer.ipaiiy  ;  and  at  ihe 
battery  at  Indi.m  Head,  eiptain  Terry  was  sup|)orted  by  the 
brii'ade  of  ^renend  Stew.irt,  and  the  volunteer  companies  of 
major  Peter  and  captain  Hurch.  I'rom  the  '.h\  until  the  Olli 
of  fSeptemher,  the  Hritish  vessels  were  j^really  annoyed  in 
passini^  these  baiieries.  Freipieni  aitempts  to  destrov  them 
were  also  made  by  commodore  Hod^'crs,  by  means  of  small 
fire-vessels  ;  but,  owinjr  to  a  chaiif^e  of  wind,  they  proved  iii- 
eirectual.  Tbesi;  respective  forces  were  afterwards  concen- 
trated under  commodore  Ro.'irers,  at  Alexandria  ;  which  place 
he  determined  to  (b'fend,  should  the  enemy,  who  was  not  yei 
out  of  sight  (>f  the  nearest  battery,  ihini;  proper  to  return. 
Sir  Peter  I'arker,   who  ascended  llie  Chesapeake,  was  noi 


i\ 


il 


•4? 


:l 


254 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Secretary  of  War  reHifins. 


.(«rin;ral  Winder  tried  and  nrqiiittcd. 


SO  fortunate  as  llie  oilier  oiricers.  He  lautletl  at  iiiglit  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Moors  Fields,  with  the  view  of  surprising  a 
parly  of  militia,  eneaniped  there  muler  the  ooniniand  oi  ct^hjuel 
Heid.  In  this-  he  was  disappointed,  for  the  niiliiia,  having  heard 
the  apj)roach  of  ihe  l)arges,  were  jirepared  to  i-eceive  him.  Sir 
Peter,  having  landed,  moved  forward  at  the  head  of  altont  two 
hundred  and  fifty  men,  and,  on  a|){)roaching  within  seventy 
yards  of  the  Americans,  was  received  with  a  heavy  fire.  He 
endeavoured  to  press  forward  on  the  centre  of  the  line  ;  but 
being  foiled  in  this,  he  threw  himself  on  the  Hank,  wjiere  also 
he  was  repulsed.  C(donil  Keid,  being  inforiueil  that  the  ain- 
munilion  was  nearly  ex[)ended,  ordered  his  men  to  retire  a 
small  distance  until  they  could  procure  a  supply.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  Hrilisli,  having  suffered  severe  loss,  thought  proper 
to  retire  ;  carrying  with  them  the  wouiuled.  Among  the  latter 
was  sir  Peter  Parker,  who  died  shortly  afterwarils,  greatly 
lamented  by  his  countrymen  and  much  resjiected  by  us. 

'J'hecaptureof  Washington,  as  we  have  staled,  excited  the  most 
painful  sensations  throughout  the  United  tStatcs  ;  and  the  indig- 
nation of  the  people,  at  first  levelled  against  the  whole  adminis- 
tr.ition,  was  soon  concentrated  on  the  secretary  <»!  war  r'ud 
general  \Vinder.  Against  the  former,  the  (n-y  was  every 
where  so  loud,  that  the  president,  from  motives  of  prudence, 
intimated  to  him  the  propriety  of  susj)ending  his  fuiuUions 
for  a  time.  This  his  pride  would  not  permit  !iiiN^|*do  ;  and 
he  therefore  resigned.  It  appears,  from  the  ofliciaT  letter  of 
general  Ross,  since  published,  thai  he  had  not  conceived  the 
idea  of  alUuking  Washington,  until  within  sixteen  miles  of  it, 
and  after  he  had  received  inlbrmalion  of  its  cK  fenceliss  stale  : 
and  that  the  destruction  of  commodore  Barney's  (lolilla  had  been 
his  real  and  sole  object,  It  was,  notwilhsianding,  an  act  of  un- 
paralleled rashness,  and  from  which  no  commeiiMirate  advantage 
was  to  be  gained.  So  great  was  the  improbability  of  such  an 
allempt,  that  the  secretary  at  war,  it  is  said,  cuidd  not  be  per- 
suaded, until  the  last  moment,  that  it  was  seriously  intended. 
General  Winder  demanded  an  examination  of  his  conduct,  and 
a  court,  of  which  general  Scotl  was  president,  acquitted  him 
honourably. 

The  character  of  (ireat  Britain  ought  not  soon  to  recover 
from  the  reproach  of  her  numerous  violations  of  the  laws  of 
clvili/ed  warfare  on  our  coast,  'i'he  conflagration  of  Washing- 
ton and  the  plunder  of  Alexandria,  not  to  mention  the  despi- 
cable bucaniering  practised  on  ihe  defenceless  inhabitants,  are 
without  a  parallel  in  modern  times.  Napoleon,  whom  the 
British  dunuminuted  the  modern  Attila,  entered  the  capitals  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


255 


A 


letter  uf  Admiral  Corhrane  lo  tlie  American  Siirretary  of  State Reply. 

the  principal  nations  of  Europe,  but  was  never  disgraeeil  by 
such  wanton  and  unjustifiable  destruction.     'JMicse  acts,  j^rossly 
barbarous  as  they   were,  assumed  still  a  deeper  infamy  from 
the  manner  in  which  they  were  justified.     A  letter  from  ad- 
miral Cochrane  to  our  secretary  of  state,  dated  the  day  previous 
to   debarkation,  thoujrh   not  delivered  until   after  the   burning 
of  the  Capitol,  staled,  that  havino^  been  called  upon    by  the 
goveraor-sreneral  of  the  Canadas,  to  aid  him   in  carrying  into 
eflect  measures  of  retaliation  ajjainst  the    inhabitants    of   the 
United  States,  for  the  wanton  ravages  committed  by  the  Ameri- 
can  forces  in  Upper  ('anada,  it  became  imperiously  his  duty, 
in  conformity  with  the  jrovernor-gencrars  applicalion,  to  issue, 
to  the  naval  force  un;ler  his  rommand,  an  oriler  to  destroy  and 
lay  waste  such  towns  and  districts  upon  the  coast  as  might  be 
found  assailable!     'I'lie  American  secretary  of  state,  in  reply, 
stated  that  in  no  instaiice  had   the    United  States  authorised  a 
•leviation  from  ilu'  known  usages  of  war.     'I'hat  in  the  few  cases 
in  which  there  had  been  a  charge  of  such  acts,  the  government 
had   lormally    disavcnved    them,  and    had   subjected    the    per- 
petrators to  punishment.     Tbal  amongst  those  few,  the  charge 
of  burninu  the  parliament  house  at  York  in  Upper  Canada  was 
now  for  the  lirst  time  brought  forward  ;  that  one  of  the  most  re- 
spectable civil  functionaries  at  that  place  had  addressed  a  letter 
of  thanks  to  general   Dearborne,  for  t''e  good  conduct  of  our 
troops  ;  and  moreover,  that  when  sir  George  I*revost,  six  months 
afterwards,  prolesscdlv  jiroceeded  to  measures  of  retaliation, 
the  afVair  of  burning  the  brick  house  was  not  mentionetl.     But 
what  in  the  meantitne  were  the  a  Hairs  of  the  river  Uaisin,   the 
devastations  on  the  shores  of  I^ake  Champlain,  the  contlagra- 
tions  and   j)liinderings  on   the  sea  coast — were  these  in  retalia- 
tion lor  burning  the  parliament  house  i     Hut  we  were  told,  ihat 
there   was,   besides,  the  burning  ol'  a  few  sheds  and  huts  at 
Long  I*t)int  and  St  David's.     These  acts  were  followed  up  by 
instant  retaliajon  ;  and  those  who  committed  them,  although 
able  to  plead  the  uniiorm  practict;  of  the  enemy  in  excuse,  were 
dismissed  the  service.      Were;  the  conllajrr.uions  in  the  Cliesa- 
peake,  diiriiiif  the  summer,  in  retaliation  for  these  acts  ?  or  wen; 
they  in  prospective  retaliation  for  the  burninir  of  Newark,  which 
happened  at  the  close  of  the  same  year  ?      \V  hat  was  the  avowed 
object  of  the  Hritish  governor  in  burning  four  or  live   villages, 
putting  a  garrison  to  the  swttrd,  and  laying  waste  the   Niagara 
frontier  ?       It  was  to  retaliate  the  burning  of  Newark,  an  act 
the  American  government  had  promptly  disavowed.      And  why 
did  the  governor  of  Canada,  after  this,  declare  to   the   world, 
that  he  was  doubly  satisfied,  lirst  with  the  disavowal  of  our 


"^ 


■  4| 


250 


IJRACKENRIDCE'S 


Kedections. 


fdvernincnt,  aiid  next  with  iliis  jiiDpIc  measure  of  rotalintion  '. 


U 


OW      Ihcil      ('(HI 


Id  tl 


H-  con 


llairrat 


inn   ol    llu;   nol)l('  l)uil(lin>j:.s  at 


VVasliiniftdii  he  in  retaliation  for  tin;  l)urnin<^r  a  hiick  house 
lured  for  llit;  lenijiorary  oeeiipalion  ol  llie  provmeiailt  <iif.|aUire, 
or  for  the  burnii!"  of  iNewark,  of  a  l»-\v  onl|)()^ils,  and  of  the 
eahinss  or  lints  of  hostile  savafjcs  !  Sueli  pretexts  are  too  flimsy 
:u?  1  ahsiird  to  impose  upon  the  most  iLnioranl.  A  lamentable 
bc.barity  markeil  the  condnin  of  tlie  liniish  in  the  war  ilironjrji- 
out ;  while  the  llnitf.'d  Slates  sinrcrely  desired  to  avoid  m  hai- 
ever  miijlit  stand  in  the  way  of  the  most  friendly  relations,  on 
the  r  'sioiMtion  of  pcacc^.  At  the  very  opinin<:  of  the  war,  the 
British  olliec  rs  permitted  the  savaL^e  Indians  to  lijiht  by  their 
hides,  and  neiilefH'd  to  prevent  them  from  pcrpetrannii' ernellies 
wliose  bare  reciial  causes  the  hair  to  stand  on  end.  W  hen  the 
Uritish  admirals  (irst  visited  our  sea  coast — at  a  lime  when  no 
complaints  had  been  made  a<)ainst  \is,  they  plundered  and  burnt 
the  villai'es  on  the  shores  ol  C'hesipcake  Day  ;  ihev  r(»l)betl  the 
defeneeU;ss  planters  of  their  stock,  of  their  ne<^roes,  of  tiieir 
furniture,  and  at  Hampton   transcended   even   the  abomimitioiis 


o 


ftl 


le  river  Kaisin.      On  the 


bord 


ers  o 


f  ( 


anada 


tl 


le  same  course 


ofbnrninir  or  plunderinjr  was  |)uisued  ;  and  when,  und(;r  the 
inllueiH  e  (»f  fcelini^'s  prtuluced  b\-  these  outra<res,  an  American 
officer  burnt  a  villajjfe  without  authority,  irladly  was  thi.i  seized 
as   the  pretext  for  the  lirst  avowed  retaliation — and  tht;   whole 


Iron  tier  was 


laul 


waste. 


Wliat  was  the  conduct  of  the  British 


to  Ameri(Mn  prisoners,  and  to  those  who  were  dr.iLfL'cd  Iroin 
their  ships  to  Ik;  enslaved  ;  and  what  was  the  treatment  of  British 
subjects  prisoners  with  us  i  What  pretext  of  retahation  could 
cover  the  viohition  of  neutral  ports,  for  the  purpose  ol  caplur- 
in<»'  our  vessels  ?  What  pielext  warrant(ul  tli(;  barbarous  orders 
of  their  olllcers,  to  refuse;  (piarter  to  men  o|)pi'sed  to  them  in 
honourable  battle  .'  'I'he  letter  of  admiral  Cochrane  scarcely 
deserved  the  notice  «)f  the  secretary  of  state  ;  but  the  refutation 
was  certainly  most  ample.  It  is  impossible  to  sujiposi'  that  such 
conduct  was  not  as  severelv  reprobated  by  the  yrcii  nia^s  ol  the 
Enj^lish  |)(;ople,  as  it  was  bv  us.  'Ilu^  minority  in  the  British 
parliament  pronounced  it  to  In;  disirraceful  to  their  country. 


It 


It  has  been  the  opinion  ol  some,  that  our  government  was 
reprcdiensibh;  for  not  resorting,  at  an  early  period,  to  retalia- 
tory measures;  but  there;  is  no  American  at  this  day,  who 
does  not  rellect  with  pleasure,  that  in  no  instance  did  our 
government  sanctiem  them.  It  is  dillicult,  however,  to  refrain 
from  insiidiling  a  comparison  between  the  deva>tatiiii:  order  of 
admiral  ('ochrane;  ami  the  order  of  general  Brown,  issued 
about  the  same  lime,  on  his  enleriiig  Canada.     "  Upon  cnler- 


Pensiitioii' 
KtVi-rt  of  III! 

—  Admiral  ( 
Troops  at  > 
Hiilllf  ol'Ni) 
i>ii  Army  a 
Kaltimiireali 
I'ronlitr— III 

—  I'rouri'dH  () 
biiri;  opposil 
isli  and  Am 
nf  the   lliiti- 

Arinv  Ircim  i 


HISTORY  OF  THE   WAR. 


257 


KrtV'rts  oI'CIk!  Capture  ut' \Va.'4hiii).Mi>ii  in  F.iirii|i) — In  tin'  Cnitcd  Staten. 

\ng  Canada,"  siiid  ho,  "  the  laws  of  war  will  govern  :  men 
fo\in(l  ill  arms,  or  otherwise  engaired  in  the  .service  of  the 
enemy,  will  he  treated  as  enemies  ;  those  hehaving  peaceahly, 
and  followin<(  their  private  occupations,  will  he  treated  as 
frieinU.  Private  propt.Tty  will  in  all  cases  be  held  sacred; 
[)ul)lic  properly,  whertner  found,  will  he  seized  and  disposed 
of  by  tlu!  eommandinu  ireneral.  Any  who  shall  be  found 
violating  this  order  will  be  punished  with  death." 


niAPTFR  \IX. 


»! 


Sensations  prndiircd  by  the  Capture  of  Washinptuu  in  Kuropo  and  in  Knulanv     ■ 
Kflert  111'  tills  KviMit  in  llic  Cnitcd  Stales — l'ic|inr;iti"pns  for  ilic  DritMict!  of  Italtinioin 

—  Adnui'itl  Ciirliranr  appi'ars  :it  tin-  ninutli  ot'llic  I'aiapxo — Dcliarkatitm  ot'tlK'  Dritish 
Troops  at  N'orili  Point — Cuncral  Strickt  r  inarches  from  Haltiniore  to  meet  them — 
Hattk- (irNnrtli  Point— nialli  of 'Ji-mral  l{nss— 1{(  tn  nt  .it' tlu'  American  Army— Urit- 
i-li  Army  appears  lid'ure  Malliinnrc — lliiiiiliarilnient  iif  I'nrl  .M'llenry  —  Attack  on 
HallimoreahandtMied — Hrilisli  fleet  reiiri'-i  in  the  West  [ndies — Artairson  the  .Northern 
Cronlier — Invasion  of  tlie  State  of  New  \'ork  by  the  Urili.-h  iindei  Sir  Ceorce  Prevost 

—  ProL'ress  ol'tJK!  llrilisli  iinpeih'd  hy  liciii  ral  Maconili — 111111.-11  Ainiy  occupies  Platts- 
burt;  opposite  tlie  Amerii  ;in  Works — Itallant  Kiiterprise  of  Cap  'in  M'Ulassin — Brit- 
ish and  Ainericaii  I'leeis  on  I,ake  Cham  plain— llaitle  of  Lake  Chaniplain — Defeat 
oi'  thi;  lliiti<li  Sipiadroii,  and  Capture  i>(  its  priiicijial  Vessels— lleireat  ol'  Ilie  Dntiiih 
Army  from  the  American  'I'erriiory. 

Tnr,  capture  of  Washington  was,  at  first,  exulted  in  by  the 
Hritish  ministry,  as  a  mo3t  si<rnal  ex|)loit ;  but  it  was  viewed 
in  a  very  diOerent  liirht  on  ihc  continent  of  lOurope,  and  by 
the  l^rilish  nation  at  laiirc.  To  :^ay  noihinu  of  ilie  prosecution 
of  hostilities  with  auoniented  rigour  'luring  the  negotiation  of  a 
tr(!aty  for  peace,  the  acts  of  wanton  barbarity  which  accompa- 
nietl  them  aroused  general  indignation.  In  the  British  parlia- 
ment, so  great  a  sensation  was  excited,  that  the  perpetrators 
were  faid  to  shelter  tluinselves  from  odium  by  the  basest 
falsehoods,  and  the  ministry  stated  that  instructions  had  been 
^:ont  to  the  coast  of  America  to  desist  from  further  inlliclions  of 
vensreance. 

Hut  if  the  (•fleet  was  powerful  abroad,  it  was  overwhelming 
throuL'hout  t!i(!  United  Stites.  Party  spirit  instantly  vanished, 
and  with  it  the  dissensions  which  had  almost  paralysed  our 
cflbrLs.       Hut   one  voice  was   heard  ;    a   glorious   union  was 


II 


258 


UKAfKENRIDCK'S 


i'r(!|iariiliiins  for  the  llcfrncc  of  Baltiiiiurc. 


hroiiglit  about;  :iii(l  a  nalioii  «»r  (k'ciihmi  was  seen  to  rise  in  its 
streiiijili.     'riinsc   wlio   had   at   first  opposed   the   war  on  the 


fTroiiiul  ol  Its  nil 


policy 


or  who  liad  oonili'nuic( 


1  tl 


ic  mv; 


'II  of 


Canada,  now  virwcd  (Jrcat  Hritain  only  as  a  jjowciliil  nation 
about  t«)  pr(M  ipiiaU'  h«r  armies  on  the  counlry,  with  th(^  avowed 
intention  of  desohitinir  its  faire^il  portions.  'Jhe  ibssensions 
of  pobiical  p.'rlics   had  terminated  with   the   |»oliii<";d  death  of 


N: 


jpou'on 


an 


(1  who  could  now  say,  that   Unlain  was  aciuated 


l)y  other  ihaii  the  mere  thirst   for  reven<re,  or  the  hss  honour- 
able thirst   for  plunder  '.      'I'he   war   now  came   home    to  tlie 

Tiie  scenes  ol"  prrj)ara- 


interesis  and  leeliiius  ol   every  man. 

tion  \ver(!  thi;   most  animated   that  could   be  com'cived.      'J'he, 

whole  country  was  in  nmtion  ;  every  town  was  a  camp;  and  the 


)ftl 


peacehil  avocations  ol  the  citizens,  which  the  war  nniil  imu 


h  th 


nil 


had 


sc 


arcely  ii\terrupti'(i,  were  lanl  asulc. 


All  tl 


le  priucipai   cities 


instituted  their  committees  of  dei'eiic(;  ;  and  tiu!  w  hnle  of  the 
population,  to  the  sound  of  martial  music,  imned  in  bands  to 
the  daily  occupation  ol  labouring  at  the  erectio;;  ol  inlrench- 
ments  and  fortiiic  ;ition.s. 

The  New  Mn^dand  stales,  at  first  so  averse  lo  the  war,  now 
cxliilutcd  their  characteristic  activity  and  energy,  and  <ravc 
satisfactory  proof  that  nothin;^  was  lurlher  from  their  intentions, 
than  secession  from  the  confederation.  The  j^ovt  rnor  oi  Ver- 
mont, who  the  year  before  had  m:ule  an  attempt  to  recall  t!ic; 
militia  of  the  slate  from  the  ser\  ic(?  of  the  rnii'.d  States,  and 
on  which  occasion  the  militia  nobly  refused  to  obey  him,  now 


made  ainplt!  atoneiiKMit  l)y  promptly  calling  ihein  lorth 


r 


lU 


American  ladies,  always  conspi(!nous  for  patriotic  conduct  in 
limes  of  dilliciilty  and  danger,  never  appeared  so  lovely  in  their 
zeal  for  their  country. 

Tlui  next  object  of  attack,  it  was  ri</htly  conjectured,  would 
be  IJaltimori!  ;  and  the  cities  ol"  l'hiladelj)hia  and  New  York 
awaited  the  result  with  as  miudi  anxiety  as  if  tlu'ir  fate  depended 
upon  its  successful  issue.  After  the  first  moments  of  despond- 
ency occasioned  by  the  capture  of  Washington  had  subsided 
in  Haltimore,  and  it  was  discovered  that  tlie  place  would  not 
be  assailcil  immediately,  the  inhabitants  set  about  making  pre- 
parations for  di  lence.  A  ditch  was  opened,  and  a  i)reastwork 
thrown  up  by  the  iidiabitains,  on  the  high  grouiul  to  the  north- 
cast  of  the  citv  (to  conslrmU  which  all  classes  ol  the  people 
united),  so  as  completcdy  to  |)roteel  the  town  in  the  (uily  (]uarter 
ill  which  it  was  ai'cessible  by  land  forces.  In  ihe  course  of 
a  few  days,  a  considerable  number  of  militi;'.  arrived  from 
Pennsylvania,  Virginia  ami  the  interior  of  Maryland;  and  the 
apirils  of  the  iuhubilanls  were  greatly  animated  by  the  presence 


HISTORY  or  Tin:  war. 


259 


AiliMiriil  Ci chriiru'  a|i|ii';irs  at  Ilic  inuii'li  ul'tlir  Tatap 


O 


f  tl 


le  naval  vtacran  C(»mm;>U()H' 


Rod 


(fl'l'; 


\Vl)(t.    \\  1 


th  I 


US  ma- 


rines, took  po^isr.-sioii  of  tli(!  heavy  haiU'iic.s  on  ihc  hill  above 
meiiiioiictl.  A  hriLfi'le  of  Vir::iiiia  vohiiit  .  rs,  and  the  rcjTiilar 
troops  were  assijrncd  tit  general  Winder;  and  ihe  ''ity  lirjirade 
was  coninr.inded  by  jreneral  Strjclier  :  the  whole  under  the  chief 
dircetion  ol  niaior-L''enera!  Smith.  Of  these,  the  two  latter  vverc 
dislini.nii>hed  r-'vcdiitionary  otlleers.  The  a|ij)rnaeli  to  the  city 
by  water  was  delemlud  by  Fort  MTIenry,  and  tr.irrisoned  by 
about  (Mie  thousand  men,  volunteers  and  rciiidars,  under  major 


Lrmisteai 


r 


wo  batteries  upon   tlit! 


l»at; 


inseo,  to   the  nuh 


t  of 


Fort  M' Henry,  to  prc-venl  the  enemy  from  landinij  duriutr  the 
niirlit  in  the  rear  ol  tlu;  town,  were  manned,  the  ouv  by  lieu- 
tenant   Newcondte  of   the   (Juerriere,   uiih    a    detaehment  of 

roni 
IJarnev's  llntilla.      Tin.'  former  was  called  l-'ort  ( 'n\  inLTtrm ;  the 


ailors ;    tin;  other,    by  lieutenaiit    W'ebsi.r,   with    men    I 


latter,  the  City  nailery.  To  tlu;  defence  of  l'"orl  MTI(>nry, 
and  to  ilu!  repulse  of  ttie  British  from  the  lines  the  inhabitants 
looked  for  safely. 

Independently  of  the  pretexts  which  hail  alreadv  led  to  iho 
scenes  at  W  ashinjrlon  and  Alexandria,  llie  city  of  IJallimurR 
was  a  selecieil  object  (d' the  venm'ance  of  the  enemy,  in  conse- 
quence <d  her  active  and  patriotic  exertions  dniinir  the  war.  No 
one  could  imairine  to  himself  a  just  picture  of  the  slate  of  anxious 
feeliiiiT  ill  which  lifty  thousand  people  awaited  the  issue  of  the 
event  which  should  determine  the  safety  or  desiniciion  of  their 
city.      I'^ven  in  case  of  succijssful  resistance,  tlu^  most  painful 


nice 


riituil 


c  would,  lor  a  time,  liauij:  over  tlu;   laie  ol  liiose  w 
ih 


iKul  ris!;ecl  ineir  lives 


ho 

in  its  ilefence.  These  latt(;r  were  not 
stransiers  or  mercenaries,  but  friends,  brothers,  sons.  j)arents 
and  hu>!)ands  ;  lor  every  one  who  c(nild  wield  a  musket,  even 
old  men  and  boys,  was  found  in  the  ranks.  The  committee 
of  safely,  composed  of  those  advainted  in  life  ami  of  the  most 
inlluenlial  citizens,  (amonir  whom  was  colontd  Howard,  a  hero 
of  the  revoluti(Mi)  took  a  larjie  share  in  the  pre[iaraiions  to  meet 
the  approacliinij  dantjer. 

'J'lie  I5ritish  army  having  re-embarked  on  board  the  Heet  in 
the  Patuxent,  admiral  Cochrane  tnoveil  down  the  river  and 
proceeded  up  the  (^hesai)eakc  ;  and,  on  tlie  moniiiiir  of  the  11th 
of  September,  appeared  at  the  moitth  of  the  I'aiapsco,  about 
Iburleen  miles  from  tlu;  city  of  Baltimore,  with  a  lleet  of  ships 
of  war  and  transports  amountiiif^  to  fifty  sail.  ( )n  the  next  day, 
the  land  forces,  to  tlu!  number  of  at  least  six  thousand  men, 
debarked  at  Mortli  Point,  and,  under  the  command  (»l  jreneral 
Ross,  took  up  their  march  f«)r  the  city.  CcMieral  Siricker,  who 
had  claimed  for  the  (^ity  brigade  under  his  command  the  ho- 


U^ 


5^ 


200 


nRACKf':NRini^F;s 


Ucharkiitioii  oftlw  liritish  Troopt)  at  iNortti  ruint. 


nour  of  bein^  the  (irst  to  meet  llir;  iiiv:i(l»;r,  was  tlelaclicd  hv 
general  Smiili,  in  aniicipalioii  ol"  iIk;  laiidiii^  of  llie  Hriiisli 
troops.  On  tta;  lllli,  L'^ciicral  Strieker  proceeded  on  the  road 
to  N(»rlli  l*()int,  at  llu;  lie. id  ul  llirec  thousand  two  hundred 
efle(;iive  men  :  eonslsUni;  (d'  the  Fifth  retrinient,  under  lieuten- 
anl-('oU)n(d  StiM-retl,  five  hundred  and  lifiy  stronjr ;  six  hnt)dred 
and  tw(;nly  <>f  the  Sixth,  uti(h.'r  neutenaiil-ctdontd  M'honaUl  ; 
five  huiuh'cd  of  the  Twenty-sevcMilli,  under  lieuienant-i'oU)nel 
Jjong  ;  five  hundred  and  fdty  of  the 'rhiriy-nin'h,  un(h'r  lieuten- 
anl-eoh)nel  Fowh-r  ;  s(,'ven  )iun(h'ed  ol  iIk;  Fifiy-lirst,  under 
lieutenant-eoloiud  Aniey;  one  hundred  and  filly  rillenien,  uiuler 
captain  Dyer  ;  one  hundred  and  liliv  cavalry,  under  lieuienant- 
eoloncd  l»iays  ;  and  the  (iiion  Aridler;  ,  of  s(!venty-five  men 
and  six  fo'ii-ponnders,  uniler  cap  m  Monlf^oniery,  allorney- 
general  of  the  slate.  A  corps  of  i,  -  ri  •  iien  and  musketry, 
taken  from  i^eneral  Stansldiry's  hrifjf;  >  ami  f'le  Pennsylvania 
volunteers,  were  detai-lied,  under  majiu"  Rauvi  '  ,  to  the  mouth 
of  Bear  C'recd;,  with  orders  to  co-operate  with  irencral  Strieker, 
and  to  check  any  landing  which  the  enemy  might  ell'ect  in  that 
quarter. 

At  six  o'clock  I'.  .AI.  irenoral  Stritdvcr  reached  a  meeting- 
house, near  the  head  ol  Hear  Creek,  seven  miles  from  the  city. 
Here  the  l)riga(le  halted,  with  the  exception  of  the  cavalry, 
who  moved  Ibrward  to  Gorsuch's  farm  three  miles,  and  the 
riflemen,  who  took  post  near  a  hlacksmith's  shoji  two  miles, 
in  advance  ol"  the  encampment.  The  following  morning,  the 
I2ih,  at  seven  o'clock,  information  was  received  from  the 
videttcs,  that  the  enemy  were  debarking  troops  under  cover  of 
their  gun-vessels,  which  lay  o(V  the  blutf  of  iNorth  Point,  wiiiiin 
the  mouth  of  the  I'atapsco  river,  'i'he  baggage  was  immctli- 
ately  sent  back  under  a  stiong  guard  ;  and  general  Strieker 
ordered  forward  the  Fifth  and  'I'wenty-scventh  regiments,  and 
the  artillery,  to  the  head  of  iiong  I^og  Lane,  postinir  iliR  Fifth 
with  its  right  on  the  head  of  a  branch  of  Hear  Creek  and  its 
left  on  the  main  road,  the  Twenty-seventh  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  road  in  a  line  with  and  to  the  lell  of  the  Fifth,  and  the 
artillery  at  the  head  of  the  lane,  in  the  interval  between  the 
two  regiments.  The  Thirty-ninth  regiment  was  drawn  up  three 
hundred  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  'I'wenty-seventli,  and  the  Fifty- 
first  at  the  same  distance  in  the  rear  of  the  Fifth.  'J'he  Sixth 
regiment  was  kapt  as  a  reserve  within  sight,  h.df  a  mile  in  the 
rear  of  the  second  line.  'I'hus  judiciously  posted,  the  general 
determined  to  wait  an  attack,  having  first  given  iirdcrs,  that  the 
two  regiments  composing  the  front  line,  if  compelled  to  fall 


HISTORY  OF  THE   WAU. 


2C1 


nnttio  ol'Norili  I'uiiit Mt'iith  iir<;i'iii'r:il  Hum. 


back,  slioiild  rriir*?  tlirutiifh  ilii-  I'llty-tirsl  jiimI  'riiiiiy-iiiiiili,  and 
foriii  nil  the  rijilil  <>l  ilu'  Sixili  pnsicd  in  rcscrxr. 

(icncral  Strieker  now  h-anu'd,  from  llic  <'avalrv,  who  nc- 
cnrciiiiLT  t<»  orilcrs  had  rt-ircali  d,  that  ihc  IJrilish  wi-rt-  moving 
ra[)iilly  up  thcroiid;  luit  at  iIk;  tnmncni  whci!  he  cxiifctcd  thi'ir 
ap|)r(»ach  to  ho  annuiinccd  and  inijx'iU'd  hy  ihc  rillcnicn  stationed 
in  the  h>w  thick  pine  and  lirs  in  advance.  L^'catlv  in  hi>  ••haj^rin, 


hcd 


iscovered  thai  tMe\  were  I  dhnir  hai'k  upon   the  mam    posi- 


tion, nn.ler  a  LTrnmunos  apprehension  I'lal  lUv  enemy  liad  lanu- 
ed  on  Back  river  to  cit  th«'m  (dl".  This  part  ol  the  irenerars 
phm  havinsi  heeii  rriislralt'd,  he  phiced  the  rilh'inen  on  the  riijht 
of  his  from  line,  and  Uy  this  means  Ix-tter  seeiircd  th;il  Ihmk. 
'J'h(!   videttes  soon   after   hriiiijinii   informaiion    thai  a    party  ol 


ll 


»e  ciiemv  were  carnnsinL'^   in    a  careh-ss  maiiiu 


■r  at    ( 


•  orsncn  s 


farm,  several    of  lh(!  ntlicers  nllered    the-r  services    in  di>l()(i<'e 


m. 


(; 


tptains  Keveriiiir  aii( 


I   II 


1  rcLMinen 


l,  al 


nward  s  cninj)aiiies,  Irom 


ll 


le 


)niii   one  hiintlred  and    liliv  in  numiier,  niider 


the 

FiftI 

major  Heath  ;  ca plain  Aisiiniih's  and  a  few  other  nileiiu  n,  in  all 
about  seventy  ;  and  a  small  piece  olartillerv  and  some  cavalry, 
under  lieutenant  Stih-s,  were  sent  forward  lo  cliasiise  ihe  inso- 
leiH  e  (if  the  enemy's  achance,  and  to  evince  a  wish  on  the  part 
of  the  American  armv  lo  en!_fair(!.  The  detachmenl  had  scarcely 
•ceded  !iall    a  mile,  wlnai  il  suddenlv  came  in  contact  with 


pro 

the  main  body  of  the  enemy.  In  the  skirmish  which  ensued, 
major  Heath's  jiorse  was  shot  under  him,  and  sexcial  of  the 
Americans  w(>re  killed  and  wounded  ;  while  the  enemy  lost  their 
commamler-inchicf,  major  ireiu'ral  Koss.  This  ollicer,  who 
had  impiudently  advanced  loo  hir,  for  the  pur|)o>e  of  reeoii- 
noiteriiiL''.  was  killed  by  one  of  ihe  comjvany  of  captain  Howaril. 
Afler  tliedeallMd  iTcneral  lliiss,  the  command  devolveil  on  colonel 
Brooke,  who  continued  to  advance  not wiihsi.uidinu  this  occur- 
rence. The  AmerKaii  deiachmeiii  now  fell  hack;  and  ".reneral 
Strieker,  perceivmo  the  companies  of  Howard  and  l.tjvering 
to  be  loo  much  laiiirued  to  share  in  the  approachmir  contlict, 
ordered  them  to  allach  ihemselves  to  lIu;  reserve.  Al  half 
past  iwo  o'clock,  the  eiiemv  commenced  ihrowinir  rockets, 
which  dill  no  injury  ;  and  imimHiiaiely  captain  MoniL'omery's 
artillerv  opened  a  lire  upon  iIkmii,  which  ihey  returned  by  a 
six-pound(  r  ami  a  howitzer  direcied  upon  tin;  left  ai.d  centre. 
The  lire  was  brisk  for  some  luinutcs,  wlien  trcneral  Strieker, 
with  a  view  ^A'  hrniiiiiiif  the  nuMiiv  wiiliin  eanisier  distance, 
ordered  it  to  cease  on  the  American  side.  I'erceivini:  that  the 
efforts  ol  tlu!  IJriiish  were  chielly  direeied  airainsi  ihe  left  llank, 
he  now   orilered  up  the  Thirty-ninth  regiment  u\U)  line   with 


^ 


I 


202 


BRACKEiMUDGE'S 


Itiittlo  uf  North  I'niiil Uf.trt'iit  of  tin;  Amiririin  Army. 

and  on  tlio  h.'fl  of  llu;  'I'weiily-sevenlli.  Two  picrcs  of  iirtil- 
Icry  were  also  detached  to  the  left  of  the  'rhiriy-niiiih  ;  and 
in  order  mure  comph'tely  to  |)rolecl  this  Hank,  cohinel  Amey 
was  ordcrcMl  to  form  his  retfiniciil,  the  l*'il"iy-(irst,  at  rioht  antrjes 
with  the  line,  with  his  rijrhi  resii'ijr  near  iht;  leli  of  the  Thirty- 
ninlh.  'I'hi.s  njovetnent  was  hadly  execnted,  and  etealed  some 
confusion  in  ih:it  (jnarter,  which  however  was  soon  rectified. 

'J'he  eneni)  's  riijhl  cohiinji  now  advanced  upon  the  Twenty- 
sevenlh  and  'I'hiriy-ninih  re<iiiiients.  Unfortunately,  at  this 
juiu'tnre,  the  l-'iriy-fMsl  reirinient,  in  a  sudden  panic,  after  (l(;!i- 
vcrinjr  one  v(dley  at  random,  broke  and  retreated  in  confusion, 
occasioninu  llu;  same  disorder  in  the  second  battalion  of  the 
'IMiirly-ninili.  The  fire  on  the  enemy  hy  this  lime  hecame  ne- 
neral  Irom  right  to  left ;  and  the  artillery  poured  an  incessant 
and  d«!slruciive  stream  uj)on  the  enemy's  left  column.  The  latter 
endeavoured  to  shellia*  itself  hehind  a  lojrliouse,  whiidi  soon 
after  hursi  into  a  blaze;  captain  Sadller  of  the  I'iflh  riyiment, 
who  hiid  previously  occupied  it,  havinji  taken  the  precaution  to 
lire  it,  befor(!  In;  and  his  yat^^ers  abaiulon<Ml  it.  About  ten 
minutes  j):ist  three,  the  Hritish  line  eanu!  on  with  a  rapid  dis- 
charirc!  of  n)usk(!try,  which  was  well  returned  by  tin?  Filth  and 
llie  'I'weniy-s(  venth  rcijiments,  and  the  first  battalion  of  the 
Thirty-ninth  rciiiment.  The  lire  was  incessant  from  th.is  time 
until  about  twenty-five  minutes  belore  f(»ur  o'clock,  during 
which  period  f^eneral  Strieker  jrallantly  contended  a<rainsi  four 
times  Ins  nunibers.  I'^indiiifj;,  however,  that  the  une(pial  con- 
test conid  b(^  maintained  no  huijrer,  and  that  the  (uiemv  were 
about  to  outllank  him,  he  was  compelled  to  retin;  upon  his  re- 
serve, a  ntovement  which  he  elVected  in  good  order.  At  the 
point  occupied  by  this  regiment  he  formed  his  brigade,  and  falling 
back,  took  post  half  a  mile  in  advance  of  the  iiiiivriclnnents  for 
tiie  defence  (»f  the  city.  Here  he  was  joined  by  general  Winder, 
who  had  beiMi  stationed  on  the  west  side  of  the  cilv,  but  was 
now  ordered,  with  general  Douglass's  Virifinia  brigade  and 
captain  liird'fi  liniled  Slates  dragoons,  to  take  post  on  the  left 
of  general  Strieker.  The  enemy  encamped  for  the  night  on  the 
ground  where  the  battle  had  been  I'ougiil,  wilhout  aitempting 
a  pursuit. 

The  conduet  of  the  Baltimore  lirigade,  with  the  exception  of 
the  I'ifiy-first  regiment  and  the  second  battalion  of  the  Thirty- 
ninth,  who  were  seized  with  the  panic  to  which  raw  troops  are 
80  much  subject,  iles'M'ved  the  highest  pr.iise  :  veterans  could 
not  hav(!  done  more.  Their  loss,  in  killed  and  wounded,  amount- 
ed  to  one  hundred  aiul  sixty-liiree,  among  whom  were  some 
of  the  most  respectable  citizens  of  Baltimore.     Adjutant  James 


Lowry  I) 
lawyer,  v 
Moore,  a 
loss  of  th 
accordinj! 
much  gre 
puled  tin 
regulars, 
may  infe 
received. 

Amonjj 
North  r. 
Barry  (d'l 
sylvania) 
cd  ;  lieut 
whicli  *' 
asm;"  lie 
ninth  rej, 
captain  (, 
Hanover, 
caj)taiii  A 
major  CJ 
highly  Ci 
Hobinsor 
ously  act 

'J'he  r( 
general, 
confidem 
the  seam 
sylvania 
the  Ball! 
artillery 
and  in  tl 
made   hi 
intrenchi 
full  view 
ing,  by  1 
tention  o 
which  d( 
uients. 
the  A  me 
mcnis,   i 
General 
and  Slrit 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


•^03 


liritlMh  Army  it|i|i«arN  li«'(or)'  Ilaltiiiuin', 


Lowry  Donaldson,  of  tlic  Twciity-scvi'iiili  r(  <riuu'iit,  nn  ciniiirnt 
lawyer,  was  killed  in  the  holiest  oriiie  li;;ht  ;  majors  Hi  alh  and 
Moore,  and  a  iiiiinher  of  other  olVo'ers,  were  \\i>unded.  The 
loss  of  the  Hriiish  was  nearly  douhle  that  cd"  the  Atnerieann, 
aceordin^f  lo  ilieir  own  aeknowledijenient,  and  pr»d)al/ly  wr.x 
niiich  jirealer  in  reality.  In  their  (dlicial  state  inenls  they  eoiii- 
pnled  the  American  foree  at  six  thousand,  a  <;reat  pruporiiou 
regulars,  and  the  loss  :it  one  thousand  ;  data  iVoni  wlmdi  wo 
may  inler  their  opinion  of  tlu;  n)anner  in  whieh  lliey  were 
received. 

Anioni:  those  who  distinfinished  thomselvcs  in  the  haule  of 
North  I'oint,  lieulcnant-coljuel  Slerr;  it ;  majors  Ilealh  and 
Harry  (d'the  Filth  regiment ;  ca|)tain  8pangler  ollheVorU  (Fenn- 
sylvania)  vcdiinleers;  adjutant  (.'heston,  who  was  slightly  wound- 
ed ;  lieulenant-coionel  Long  of  the  Twenty-seventh  r.-giment, 
whieh  "  was  unsurpassed  in  hravery,  resolution  and  enthusi- 
asm;" li(uilenant-colonel  Fowleraud  major  Sleigerol  the  Thirty- 
ninth  regiment,  aiul  the  volunteer  companies  attached  to  it; 
captain  (^uuntril  from  Ilagerstown,  and  captain  Mel/gar  Worn 
Hanover,  Feiinsyh  ania,  the  iornu  r  of  whom  was  wounded; 
caj)lain  Montgomery  ;  hrigade-majors  Calhoun  and  Frady  ;  and 
major    (ieorge  I*.  .Stevenson,    aid    to    general  Strieker,   were 


igldy 


(•(unplimentecl   in  genera 


1  ord 


ers. 


M 


ijors   Moore 


and 


Rohinson,  of  the  Twenty -seventh  regintent,  were  also  conspicu- 
ously active  throughout  the  enjragement. 

The  result  (d'lliis  allair,  together  with  the  death  of  the  British 
general,  served  to  cheer  the  spirits  of  the  militia,  and  inspire 
confidence.  'J'he  hriL^ades  of  generals  Slanshury  and  Foreman  ; 
the  seamen  and  marines  under  (•ommodore  Rodgers  ;  the  Fenn- 
sylvania  volunteers,  under  colonels  ('obi-aii  and  i'indlay  ; 
the  Raltimore  artillery  under  colonel  Harris  ;  and  the  marine 
artillery  under  captain  Stiles,  manneil  tiie  trenches  and  i)attery, 
and  in  this  situation  spent  the  night  under  arms.  'J'he  enemy 
made  his  ajipearance  early  the  next  day  lo  the  east  of  the 
intrenchmenis,  at  the  distance  of  two  miles,  w  hence  he  had  a 
full  view  of  the  position  of  the  Americans.  During  the  morn- 
ing, by  his  mana'uvres  to  the  right,  he  seemed  to  show  an  in- 
tention of  coming  down  by  the  lF;rlord  and  York  roads  ;  to  bailie 
which  design  generals  Winder  and  Strieker  adapted  their  move- 
ments. At  110!. n  the  Hrilish  euncenirated  their  force  in  front  oi 
the  American  line,  approached  within  a  mile  of  the  intrench- 
ments,  and  made  arrangements  for  an  attack  that  evening. 
General  Smith,  therefore,  immediately  drew  generals  Winder 
and  Strieker  nearer  to  liie  right  of  the  enemy,  and  ordered  them 


■'i 


204 


DIlACKRNlUIXiirs 


Riirnli.-irtltiif'iit  of  Port  M'llf*'iry. 


to  fill!  Upon  W\H  llaiik  or  rear,  in  case  liu  ulioiild  make  ilie  at- 
tempt. 


In   \ho  ino.tiiiinio,  llio  nnval   attack  h.id  alreadv  o<» 


imn'Miccd 


The  llecl.  iilici  la'idiiiif  iIk;  troops,  ax  lielorc  iim  iitioiicd,  pinct'edet! 
to  bondiard  l''orl  M'  I  Irnrv,  w  Inch  coiiiniands  ilic  niiraiM'c  of  the 
liarltoiir.  On  the  llith,  nhout  sunrise,  ihr  lititi^h  had  hmntrfit 
sixteen  ships  within  two  niih's  and  a  hall"  of  tlie  lort.  Major 
Arinistead  arraiij.'cd  his  I'oice  in  the  Inllnwiny  manner:  the 
regnhir  ariiUerisis  under  caplain  Mvans.  and  ih(!  vohinieer  artil- 
lerists under  eaptain  Nicholson,  manned  the  haslions  in  the  star 
fori;  captains  l^inhnry,  Addison,  liodman,  Merry  and  lienton- 
anl-eoinmaiid;ml  I'enniniiinn's   eominands   were.  stMti<Mi('d    on 


II 


le  lower  works  ;  iiiid  the  infanlry  under  lieutenanl-eidoncl 
Stewart  and  major  Laiu!  were  in  the  oiiU-r  dindi,  to  meet  the 
enemy,  should  lie  make  an  attempt  to  land.  TIh;  assault  com- 
menced from  (ive  honih  vessels,  whii  h  had  am  luM'cd  at  the 
dist; 


mee    o 


f   t 


wo    miles. 


Th 


enee,   lindmtr   themselves   within 


striking  disiance,  and  at  tin;  same  time  out  ol  leaeh  ol  the  «.ntns 
of  the  tort,  they  maintained  an  incessant  homhardment.  'J'he 
situation  (d  the  {rarrison  was  painfully  inactive  and  highly 
perilous;  and  jet  every  man  stood  to  his  post  without  slirink- 
injj.     One  oi"  the    t\\  ('iity-lour    pounders,  on    the   south   west 


basti 


ion,  under  eaptain  INicliolson,  was  (lismountcd,  killini;  tiis 
sec<md  licjuienant  and  wcnnidiii};  several  ol  his  men.  The 
enemy  now  approachinjir  somewhat  nearer,  a  tremendous  fire 
was  instantly  o|)ened  from  the  lort.  which  ('(miiielled  him  precipi- 
tately tcj  retiini  to  his  former  position.  Tlu!  homhardment  was 
keplupdunni^  the  wlnde  day  and  niiiht.  The  city,  assaileil  on 
bothsiiles,  awaited  the  result  in  wakeful  silence  :  when  suddenly, 
about  midiiiiiht,  a  tremendous  caniii»nad(!  was  heard  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  iK'siei^^ed  fort;  ami  tin*  allViirhled  |)opulalion  believed 
that  all  was  over.  'J'heir  fears,  however,  wer(!  happily  soon 
quieted.  Simie  bar<jes  of  the  enemy,  luwintr  passed  Ft)rl 
M'llenry  unobserved,  had  mad(!  an  unsuccessful  attentpl  to 
land  a  body  of  troops;  and  after  sn(l'erin<,f  immense!  loss  from 
the  {Tims  of  the  City  liaitery  and  I'orl  Covington,  had  liastily 
retired.  At  seven  o'clo(dc  next  morninu",  the  i4tli,  the  bom- 
bardment ol  the  fort  terminated,  alter  4i|)wards  of  fifteen  hun- 
dred shells  had  been  thrown,  a  larye  j)oriion  of  which  burst 
over  the  fort,  scatteriu"-  their  frairmcnts  amonifst  its  delenders 
and  materially  injuriiij^  several  of  the  buildinirs.  'I'lie  piM'sonal 
damage  sustained  was,  nevertheless,  inconsiderable.  Only  four 
were  killed,  and  twenty-four  wtumded  :  am(»nj(  the  former,  lieu- 
tenant Clagt^et  and  sergeant  (Jlemin,  of  caplain  Nicholson's 
volunteers,  "rratlv  lamented  bv  th.cir  fellow-citizciis  for  their 


■mpl  l<» 
-s  iVom 
liastily 
e  boiii- 
11  luiii- 
li  burst 
lenders 
)(M'.S()niil 


liisroiiY  OF  Tin:  waii. 


205 


Atlni  k  oil  lliiltiinorr  iliiuiiliiiiril Kritiili  I'liil  n-iiriN  tn  ilir  \Vr«t  Itiilifn. 

personal  bravery  and  bijrh  private  siandinu  ;  and  of  ibo  latter, 

n- 
in  conlinnini;  at  his 


iieuienant  Kusscl,  a  jrenilenjan  of  the   Maliinioro  bar,  ol   IV 


<led 


nin<rti)n  s  eonipatiy,  ^vb()  nobly  persi 
post  (biriiif,'  the  wlmle  boinliaribneiil. 

In  tbe  eiMirse  uf  the  niiihl  el' llie  l.'Ub,  achniral  Cochrane  bad 
lield  a  eonlerenon  with  cohtncl  Hrooke,  thi'  roniinander  of  tlie 
land  lorees,  at  \vbi«'h  it  was  nmlually  agreed  to  relini|ni.sh  the 
cnler|)rise  as  inipra<'tii'al)Ie.  The  retreat  of  the  army  eoni- 
inencc'd  iniineibnti  ly,  and  was  biyhly  lavoiired  by  the  extrcnje 


darki 


ited 


ness  and  the  eoniiiMied  ram  ;  while  the  iminlerrn|) 
eontiniianee  of  the  bnmbar(hnenl  of  I'ort  .M'llenry  serveil  to 
divert  the  attention  of  the  Americans.  In  the  meantime,  ahintr 
the  Am«'ri<'an  lines  ten  thonsaiui  men  wailed  the  approach  ol' 
day  with  much  anxiety  ;  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe, 
that  tliey  would  have  r(>j)elle(l  the  enemy  with  ^^real  loss,  had 
he  made  an  attack.  \\  luii  day  dawned,  however,  it  was  dis- 
covered that  he  had  disa|ipcared.  (»eneral  Winder,  with  the 
Virginia  briii<id«',  <  ".plain  Hird's  drai^cons,  major  Kandal's  li^bt 
corps  and  all  the  cavalry,  was  iniMieilialely  detached  in  pur- 
suit of  him  :  but  so  exliausled  wen.'  the  troops  with  C(tnli- 
mied  watcJiiuLS  havinir  been  under  arms  diuiiiuf  three  days  and 
nights,  exj)t)!<ed  the  lireater  j)artof  iht;  tinn;  t(»  very  inclement 
weaiher,  that  it  was  found  imi)ossiliJe  to  do  any  thinir  more 
than  i)iclv  uj)  a  few  siraiiijiers.  Uiisidcs,  the  lime  wiiich  had 
elapsed  since  the  commencement  of  the  retreat  of  tiu!  ent my, 
had  fiiven  them  an  npporluniiy  of  ()rotectiMi»;  their  eiuliarkation 
in  such  a  manner  as  eircctually  to  secure  their  rear.  I'ht!  troops 
were  t.iken  ^)U  board  in  the  e\i'nins,f  of  the  sanu;  day  ;  ami  on  the 
mornini:  of  the  followin;,^  ilay,  the  loili,  llu'  IJiiiibii  lleel  de- 
scended [\n'  bay. 

The  intelliuence  of  this  hapjiy  ev(>nt  was  received  in  the 
neighbourinj^  cities  wit!i  demonstrations  of  rapturous  joy. 
Hut  a  moment  bcMore,  the  pojmlar  dismay  appeared  to  have 
reached  its  acme,  ami  the  nujst  gloomy  anticipations  were 
inilul<red  :  for  all  the  larger  towns,  eiiually  wiih  l>aItiniore, 
were  threatened  wiili  devastation.  The  feelings  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  city  iisi'lf,  can  with  dilliciiliy  be  conceived. 
Measures  were  taken  to  ceU.'Ijrate  the  occnrrem*e,  and  to  reward 
those  who  luld  disiiniiuished  commands.  To  such  as  fell 
in  the  sacred  cause  of  the  defence  o.  their  families  and  homes, 
a  monument,  to  be  erected  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  was  ilc- 
ereeil.  Admiral  ('ochrane,  after  the  failure  of  this  atteiipt  on 
Haltimore,  retired  with  all  his  lleet  and  the  land  forces  to  the 
West  Indies,  with  the  view  of  awaiting  the  arrival  of  reinforce- 
ments from  England ;  and  not  only  abantioned  the  idea  fcr  the 

X 


«l 


4 


260 


RRACKENRIDCiirS 


AfTiiirs  (lii  tim!  Xorllifrn  Frimtipr. 


.FtritJHh  invade  ilic  Smtc  <if  New  York. 


prestMilol' :ilt;i('l;iii;j  any  oilier  of  our  cilics  or  larjfj'r  towns,  hut 
alfo  witlulrow  nil  l\\v.  panics  which  had  hccii  cniraircd  in  nia- 


raiKhti!^  (;\p((Mli(His  inio  ihc  country  alonir  llio  coast. 

Mcanuhih"  events,  restiltini;  in  snccosses  ol"  the  most  hiilliant 
character,  had  Iransjjiicd  on  the  northern  IVontier.  \\  hile 
admiral  (/ochraiu!  was  threatening  thn  sea  coast  with  d(!vasla- 
lion,  at  the  rei|iiest,  as  he  slated,  of  sir  (Jeor<:e  I'revost ;  this 
ollieer,  who  was  invading  lh(;  rnite(l  Slates  in  another  iniar- 
ler,  held  very  (lilli  ri-nl  lantftiaire.  W  liile  he  could  direct  thr 
Hriti>h  lorce'.s  to  the  south  to  lay  wast*,'  and  destroy  (if  he 
really  ever  f^avc  such  directions),  he  was  n  jjjreat  stickler  for 
generous  and  hononrahle  warfar(*  on  the  borders  of  ('anada, 
and  was  careful  to  issiu;  orders  of  the  most  conciliatf)ry  Uind. 
On  enterinu  the  slate  ol  New   York,  in  honeyed  lanijfuaire  "he 


makes  known  to  its  peacealile  and  unolleiuiin^-  inhahitants,  that 


ihcv 


ha\t'  no  cause  o[  alarm,  Irom  this  invasion  ol   their  coun- 


try, for  the  safely  of  them>^«!ves  and  families,  or  for  the 
security  «>l  their  property,  lie  explicitly  assures  them,  that 
as  lonir  as  IJH  y  continue  to  deiiu  an  them^^elves  peaceahly,  ihey 
shall  he  protected  in  llu;  (juiet  possession  of  'ueir  honies,  and 
permitted    freely  to    pursue  their  various  occupations.      It    if 


ng 


linsi    the  government  of  the    I'liiied    States,   hv  whom   this 


unjust  and  unprovoked  war  has  heen  declared,  and  aiiainst  those 
who  supp(tri   it,  (  itlier  openly  or  secretly,  that  the  arms  of  his 


majesty  art;  directed 


•I'll 


di 


le  ((uiet  and  unoiiendinii  inhahitants, 


not  found  in  arms,  or  otherwise  aidinif  in  hostilities,  shall 
meet  with  kind  usa:x<-  and  irenenuis  irealmenl  ;  and  all  just 
complaints  aaainsl  any  of  Ins   inajesly's  snl)|eets,  ollerin^  vio- 


le 


nc(!   to   them,  to    tlieir 


f  imil 


be 


immedia 


lely 


les  or  to   tlieir   possessions,  s 


hall 


redressed 


There  is  noihinif  said  of  retalia- 


tion, nor  the  sli^diiest  hint  that  hostilities  had  not  heen  con- 
ducted, on  the  pari  of  the  Americans,  accordiiii,r  to  the  usa/^es  of 
war.  V\  illi  these  lair  words,  sir  (tcortre  led  his  army  on 
PlatlshurLN  in  the  state  of  New  York,  ai)out  the  heoinniiifir  of 
Sejitemlter,  while  tlu;  Ilritish  lleet,  under  captain  Downie,  pro- 
ceeded iij)  Lake  ("ham|)laiii  on  his  left. 

Preparations  of  the  most  extensive  description  had  heen  made 
for  this  invasion.  Transports  with  troops  had  heen  continually 
arrivinii,  at  t^tiehec  from  Ilngland,  durinjr  the  months  of  Jidy  and 
Auifusi  ;  so  that,  at  the  lime  when  sir  (JeorL'*'  Prevost  entered 
the  American  territory,  his  army  was  fourteen  thousand  stron^ir* 
amoii'''  wlunn  wer«^    lartrc   hodies  of  veterans  who   had   distin- 


tl 


guisiied   tnems(!ives  uiuier 


W 


iiiiiton. 


Tl 


lis    force  consisted 


of  tlircre  hriirades  and  a  cor|)s  id   reserve,  each  commanded  hy 
a  major-general  of  experience  ;   a  scjuadron  of  light  dragoons; 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


287 


I'miircss  iif  the  llrilisli  iiiipcilril  liy  (i<'ncral  Miutiiiili. 


and  an  nniiu'iise  train  of  ariillrry.  The  expedition  had  in  view 
an  ()l)i('i'i  nniro  iin[)(>rtaiit  than  that  of  a  mere  inioMil.  The 
defeat  and  ih'siriiciion  nf  the  American  army,  then  lyiiit:  in  the 
nei<fhl)(MMht>u(l  o['  IMatishiirji ;  the  suhjiiiration  of  the  country  as 
far  as  Crown  Point  and  Ticonderoifa,  (or  the  |)nri)osc  of  securing 
a  stroiiiT  pofiition  in  which  to  winter ;  and  uhimaieiy,  in  co-opera- 
tion with  an  army  which  was  to  invade  New  S  ork  or  (.'oii- 
necticnt  Iroid  ihc  i*ea,  the  se|)ar;iiion  ol'the  New  l')iiifl;md  states 
from  the  union  hy  ihe  line  of  the  rivi'r  llmlson,  wt^re  the 
lesuhs  at  which  sir  (Jeorye  Prevost,  nnder  the  e.\pr(!ss  direc- 
tions of  the  British  Prince  Reirent,  was  ordered  to  aim. 

After  irc'neral  l/ard  had  marched  for  the  iNiaijara,  the  force 
h'ft  at  PliHshiirL''  under  i.'en»'ral  M;icomh  (hd  not  exceed  fifteen 
hundred  reiruhirs,  :ind  consisted  chit  lly  of  iiivahds  and  new  re- 
cruits ;  and  ol  ihese  there  was  hut  one  hattalioii  j)roperly  ori^an- 
ized.  'J'he  formications  w(!re  sHi:ht.  and  the  stores  and  ord- 
nance ill  trreat  (hs(ir(h'r.  The  Mniish  look  jxissessioii  of  the 
viUajj^e  of  ('hani|)lain  on  the  Hd  ol  Septcmher  ;  and,  from  the 
prochimatioiis  aiul  the  impiessineiits  of  wairons  iiid  teams  in 
this  vicinity,  it  was  so«m  (hseovered  that  the  iinme(hate  ohject 
ofatta(dv  was  l'latlsl)iirL>.  Mot  a  minutt!  was  h)st  in  placiiijr  the 
works  in  a  state  of  defence.  In  orth'r  to  create  emulation  and 
zeal  ainon^r  the  olficers  and  men,  tliey  were  divnh'd  into  de- 
tachments, and  stationed  in  ihe  several  forts;  and  the  jfeneral 
declared,  in  oriiers,  that  each  detachiiHMil  was  the  j^arrison  of 
its  own  work,  and  hound  to  defend  it  to  the  last  exireiiiity.  At 
the  sanu!  time,  he  called  on  L'^tneral  Mooers,  «)f  tlie  .New  York 
militia,  aiid  with  hiii:  :.(l(ipted  measures  for  eallinir  them  out 
en  masse.  With  the  exc<'piion  of  a  lew  men  and  some  hoys, 
who  formed  themselves  'iUo  a  coin|)any,  reci'ived  rilles  and 
were  exceeilin«jl  V  iiselul,  the  inhahitisnts  of  IMattshnrir,  with  their 
families  and  eirecis,  lied  litMii  the  town. 

General  Mooers,  haviii'i  collected  ahout  si'veii  hundred 
militia,  advanced,  on  the  ',ih  of  the  nionih,  seven  miles  on  the 
neekmantown  road,  to  watch  the  motions  id"  the  enemy  and 
skirmish  with  them  as  ihey  ■ippriciched,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  ohstruct  the  road  hy  hreakiti:,'  down  the  hridifes  and  felling 
trees.  Capt.iin  Sprowl,  with  two  hnndred  ineu  of  th(*  Thir- 
teenth regimenl,  who  was  p«)sted  at  Dead  (Jreek  hridge,  on 
the  lake,  or  inort;  (Msiern,  road,  aUo  w  ilh  similar  ohjects,  was 
ordered  to  foriily  himself  with  two  field  pieces  sent  with  him 
for  tlu!  purpose,  and  to  receive  further  instructions  from  lieuten- 
ant-colonel A|»plin<i.  In  advance  of  this  position,  the  latter 
officer,  with  (Hie  hnndred  rillemen,  was  reconnoitering  the 
movements  of  the  enemy.     At  da\  light  on  the  (Uh,  thi!  enemy 


268 


BRACKENUIDGE'S 


llrilHli  Army  imtii|)Us  i'latt-iliiiri;  i>|i|MMitc  tlii'  Aiiifriraii  Works. 


were  seen  advancinfj,  by  these  roads,  in  two  coluiiiii.s  ;  the 
eoliinm  on  the  IJeekinanlown  road  approachinjr  more;  rapidly 
than  the  other,  (ierw^al  .Mooers's  niiliiia  skirmished  a  liltit? 
ith  its  advance  parties,  hut,  with  the  exception  of  a  lew  hrave 


^v 


men,  soon  l)roke,  and  lied  in  the  <>reatest  disorder, 


(U 


taeli 


iTient  of  two  hnndred  and  lifiy  re^fidars,  nnch-r  nnijor  Wool, 
which  had  inarched  to  their  snj)port,  eoidd  not  sueeeed  in  re- 
f<torin^  them  to  conlidence. 

C(!neral  Macomh,  liiidini;  that  the  eiieinx'.'?  ohjeet,  in  niakini^' 
so  mnch  more  rapid  a  march  on  the  western  than  the  l.dve  road, 
was  to  cut  oil'  the  deiacliments  of  captain  Sprowl  and  eolonel 
AppliiiLN  (h'spatched  orders  to  the  kilter  ollicer  to  wilh(h-aw  the 
trooj)s.  make  a  junction  with  majin'  Wool,  and  then  attack  the 
enemy's  riLdit  llank.  W'hde  in  compliance  wit!i  this  order, 
coloiKd  Applin<(  lell  in  with  the  head  olacidmnn  (d  the  enemy 
sent  to  eiit  him  oil';  and  had  they  ina(i(>  this  inovenumt  an 
instant  earlier,  he  mnst  inevilalily  lia\i;  heen  taken  prisoner. 
As  he  retn.'atKJ,  he  poured  a  destrticiive  lire  on  them  Irom 
his  ridemen,  ami  roniimied  to  annoy  them  imtil  he  lormed  a 
junction  with  major  W^ool.     TIk.'  column  ol  tl 


u!  enemy  on  llie 


lak 


til 


e  road,  notwitlisiaudiiiir  that  cou>ideral)le  execution  had 
been  done  l)V  captain  Sj)rowrs  two  liehl  pieces,  ami  althouirli 
impeded  in  its  advanc*?  hy  the  fallen  trees  and  the  (h^struclioii 
of  the  hrid^re  over  Dead  Creed;,  as  wcdl  as  harassed  by  a  flail- 
ing lire  from  some  gun-boats  ami  galleys  anchored  in  the  creek, 
still  continued  to  press  forward. 

'I'he  village  of  IMalt.-huri:  stands  on  the;  north  sid(!  of  the  small 
river  J^aranac,  near  its  entrance  inlo  Fiake  Champlain  ;  ami  the 
American  works  were  situated  on  the  souiliern  side,  directly 
opposite.  The  town  being  no  longer  tenahli-,  owing  to  its 
occupalioii  by  the  eiiem\-,  the  parties  of  Appling,  W Ool  and 
iSprowl,  whiidi  liad  (auilested  the  ad\aiice  of  their  opponent.-' 
step  liy  step,  retreated  wiliiin  the  .\iiierican  works  in  good 
order,  keeping  np  a  brisk  lire  until  they  got  under  rover.     (Jen- 


d  M; 


the  brid< 


eral  iviacoiun  now  direcied  tlie  passaue  over  tlie  l)ri(lge  on  me 
Saranac  to  he  destroyed.  This  order  was  not  executed  without 
.some  dilliculty,  as  the  enemy  hail  thrown  their  light  troops  into 
the  houses  luiar  llie  bridge,  and  annoyed  the  Americans  witli 
their  small  shot  from  the  windows  ami  balconies.  Thev  were 
at  length  dislodged  by  a  discharire  of  hot  shot  whi(di  s(d  the 
buildings  on  lire.  'I'hroughout  the  day  allempis  wer«!  made 
by  the  Uriiish  to  obtain  possession  of  liic  several  bridges  over 
the  river;  but  lliey  were  unsuecessful  in  evitry  instance.  As 
soon  as  tin;  whole  (d' the  .\nierican  troo|)s  hail  iiained  llu!  soiitli- 
erii  bank  of  the  river,  the  planks  of  the  bridges  had  been  taken 


\ 


iiisTouv  or  Till-:  war. 


200 


Ciiplniii  M'Cln.o^in. 


.Britisli  mill  Aiiirriran  Flfi-tx  on  Lnkc  Champlain. 


up,  and  plarod  in  the  form  ol  bre  istworks ;  ami  hcliiinl  tlu'so  the 
men  chariroil  with  tlie  di  ruiipe  of  llu;  passaj>e3  tiruilv  rt'sisled 
the  advances  of  the  t  ii«  iny. 

'J'he  cneniv,  now  inasu-rs  of  the  vilhue,  instead  of  atfeni|>l- 
ing  to  ptorni  tlti-  Ainciiran  works  on  the  o|i(»usite  side  i.I"  the 
river,  which  their  vast  superiority  of  force  iniiihi  h.ive  enahh'd 


tl 


lein 


lo  d( 


o,  contented   ilieinselves  with   erectiiiir   hatlenes  ant 


ihrowino-  up  hreasiworks,  and  with  fre<)\ieiii  attempts  to  carry 
ihe  hridjxes  and  cross  at  the  fords.  In  the  meainvhde,  the 
main  hody  of  the  Mrni>h  army  arrived  ;  and  ireiieral  Macinnb 
was  reinforced  hv  a  considerahh;  hodv  of  i\ew  York  miliiia, 
and  of  vohinleers  from  the  mountains  of  Vermont.  There  was 
now  scan!ely  anv  intermission  to  tlie  skirmishes  which  took 
phice   hetween  (letaclimen'.s  of  the  eminy,  and  the   American 

hih'    the   lormer   were  ffetiiiiir  up   a 
train    of    hatierinj^  cannon,   and    the   American    rejL^dars   were 


mihtia  and   volunteer: 


w 


lal) 


)ourin}r    incessantly  in    sireutitiienini:    and    extcndiiifr    their 


th 


wort 
caj)t,iin 


Durinji  this  time  a  liandsome  alfair  was  achieved  hy 
M'tljassin,  who,  crossiiiiT  the  river  in  the  liijiht,  a>sailed 
a  jruard  of  liriiish  rej.odars  of  jikuc  than  three*  limes  his  num- 
bers, stationed  at  a  iii;i-k('d  l>allcry  which  had  been  for  some 
(hiys  pfepariiiiT,  and  which,  w  heii  com|)h'ied,  wouhl  have  i:iven 
incahulahlc  aniiovaiice,  drove  them  Iroiii  their  jxist,  and  do- 
niolisheil  the  battery,  lie  returned  to  the  American  c.imp  w  itli 
the  loss  of  only  three  men  inissinjr.  1'(m-  this  i[all:Mit  action 
he  niceived  the  jiublic  thanks  of  his  treneral,  and  ihi'  Ijnvct  rank 
of  major  from  the  p"esideiit  of  the  I  iiited  Slates. 

Dn  the  imirninii  •>!  tlie  Illli  of  Septeinher,  the  tifili  day  of 
tlie  siesie,  the  motives  which  induced  the  Hritish  L'^meral  to 
delay  his  assaiiit  upon  the  American  works  became  ajiparent. 
Relyini/  (m  his  al>iliiy  to  carry  tliein,  how<>ver  they  miirht  be 
slrenuihened  and  foriilied,  he  iiad  awaitc  1  the  arrisal  of  the 
Hrilish  lleet,  in  the  belief  that,  with  its  co-operalion,  Im;  could 
make  an  easy  coiupiesi  not  only  of  the  Amei  an  army,  but  also 
f  their  lleet  on  Jiake   Champlain,   then    lyin<r   at    anchor   in 


o 


umberland  Hav,  in  front  of  the  town  (d 


IMattshurij.      On   that 


day  the  Isriiish  lleet,  conMstiuj.'  ol  tiie  liiii.ile  L'onhanee,  car- 
ryino-  thirty-nine  t^uns,  twenty-seven  (d  which  were  twenty- 
four  pounders;  the  hri<j  liinnet,  of  sixteen  l'uiis  :  the  sloops 
(Jluil)  and  l-'inch,  each  carryiii;,^  olcveii  <j;uns  ;  and  thirleen  iralle\  f», 
five  of  w  hich  carri«'d  two  tiuiis,  and  the  remainder  mie  jiiin,  each, 
was  Keen  cominir  round  ('umberland  Head.  The  Amerij'an 
lleet,  under  commodore  iM'Donouirh,  comprised  the  Sarato^ja, 
carryiiiL'  Uvenly-six  mins,  eiirht  of  which  were  lonjr  twenty- 
four  pounders;  the  Eagle,  of  twenty  gnus  ;  the  'I'icoiideroga, 


270 


BKACKt:MnDCJE'S 


llattif  4if  Liik«!  t'lmiiipluin. 


of  sovontrcn;  the  Prt'hU;,  seven  ;  iiiul  ten  iralleys,  six  eairyinj; 
two  guns,  and  the  reniaindcM'  (i»'i  irim.  |{(!si(|es  ilie  advaniajrc; 
wliicli  lli(!  (Mu  ir. V  |)(>.ss('-^sf!d  in  I)  iii}^  al)l''  lo  clioo.se  ilieir  posi- 


tion, their  loHMi  w)*--  nii.;'|i  sniieniir. 


'J'lie    iniinhiT  ol    nuu.s  in 

h 


llu'.  IJritisli  I  r<  (  iinounied  lo  ninety-live,  and  oriiien,  to  mnvards 
ol"  a  tlioiis,!!'  1  ;  wliih;  tlie  Anieiieans  liad  only  eijiliiy-six  |.fiinti, 
aiulei«r!ii  liiindred  and  twenty  men.  One  ol  ilie  Ain(!riciin  ves- 
sels had  hc'ii  huill  with  alniosl  incredilde  (h'Sjiateh  :  eJLdileen 
(lays  helort',  the  trees  ol  which  it  was  eonsirueled  were  ueiiially 
growinj:  on  the'  shores  ol  the  lake. 

'J'he  Aiiicrnan   v(!ssel.s  wen    moored   in  line,  with  live  jiiin- 
boats  or  jiallevs  on  each  Hank.     At  nine  (»'eloek,  A.  M.,  iinine- 


ilialel 


\'  on   ireiimM-   roiiix 


1   ( 


iiiiiuerlanij 


II 


ead,  (' 


aptain 


1) 


owiiie 


the  British  eoinniiiiuh-r,  anchored  in  hue  alireasi  ol  the  Ameri- 
can sijiiadron,  and  at  alxnit  three  imndrrd  \  aids  ilistaiice.  'The 
Conliance,  ca|ilain  Downie's  own  \c.-xl,  was  o|)|ioscd  to  the 
Saratov:',  M'l  )oiioui:h's  vessel;  the  liiniiel  li>  the  MauU:  ;  the 
British  iialleys  and  one  ol  their  shiops,  to  the  TK^onderoi^a,  the 
Prehle  and  the  h  It  division  of  the  Ainerican  jialleys  ;   their  other 


oop  was  o|»po.-ed  lu  the  i^allcNs  on  the  riijlil. 


In  tl 


lis  situation  the;  wlioh'  loree  on   hoih   sides   heeamt!  en 


prifred;  and  at  the  same  monicni,  as  if  the  lirinji ol"  the  first  jLtini 
from  the  t'onliance  hiul  hicn   the   siiMial,  the  eontesl  eoinmeii- 


ccd  Itelwccn   ^jeneral 


.M 


icoinl)  am 


I   sir  (i 


eorije 


r 


revosl. 


On 


of  the  British  sloops  was  so(m  iItowii  out  (d  the  eiiijairenienl 
hv  rnnnm-i  on  a  reel  ol  roid^s  whence  she;  conid  not  l)e  e.Mri- 
eated,  w  hde  several  ol"  their  fialleys  wer(;  so  rcniiihiy  hamlled 
as  to  he  compelh  i!  to  pull  ont  of  the  way.  But  the  late  oi 
this  iiilerestiiit:  iiallic,  III  which  the  two  C(Mnpelilors  lor  naval 
siiperiori'\'  were  lnr  the  .'ccoiul  tiim;  matched  in  S(|nadron, 
(leixMlded  cli:e|l\'  on  the   result  of  the  enL'aiiemeiit  hetw' ''ii    the 


II- 


two  largest  ships.  'I'lie  American  cominotiore  li:'»l  n  ..  i  lai 
tained  the  imeijiial  ctmlesi  lor  two  hours  ;  ami  notwilh  .mdiiiir 
the  jfreater  wcii^hi  ol' the  esiemy's  liattery  seemed  to  inclim;  iht 
.scale  (d"  \i(ttn\  in  his  lavoiir,  in*  snllered  proth'iionsiy.  'I'he 
eliaiices  a:>aiiisl  the  Saralofra  were  accidentally  increased  hy  ihu 
eoniimuidcr  ol  the  liable,  who,  heinii  nnahh'  to  l>tiiitf  his  ^nins  to 
hear  as  he  ul^hed,  cut  his  cahle.  and,  amdiorin^i'  helween  the 
'I'iconderoLja  and  Saratojra.  exposed  the  latter  vessid  to  a  jrallinjf 
fir»!  from  the  encmv's  luii'  the  liiniict.    'The  j^nns  (m  the  starhoard 


,  ami  the  siliialion  of  the  enemy  was  little  bel- 
line  of  the  day  ilepended  ii|)oii  the  exectition 
illiciilt  I'!"  naval  inamein  re-<,  that  of  windinjr 


sid< 

'  {)[  the 

S.nato 

;>a 

tire 

Iv  nnm 

uia,  "al 

lie 

ter 

:  to  ea« 

1    n  •••  f 

Ml 

of  one  of  t 

he  mo  . 

id 

the 

vessel 

rtMimi, 

an 

k1 


orinj'iii'r  a  new  broadside  ti)  hoar. 


Til 


IllJS'rOPY  OF    THE  WAU. 


271 


hi 


s(|ii:i(tr()n, 
iw  'Ml   ilu; 


us  ii;ims  lu 


|)i  |i -ll    il  till    l!illl<ll  s. 


mil,  ainl  •  'a|iliir(   ct  lis  pri 


.1   \ 


(!oiiri;>;ic«>  essayed    it  ih  viiin.  Diii  ilie  ell'orls  dl    the   l-'aratnji'.i 
W(jre  ^urt'esyl'iil :  n  .sief.i  aiielior  l)ciii«:  pui   on   ami   tlie  liower 


e  ililc    ci.l.    t!ie    slii|>    wmtled    roniii 

ll 


I.      A    livsli   I 


trui'dsitle    \v:i« 


now  liroiii'hl  lo  hear  on  llie  eiii'nis  s  liiijati  ;  wliii'li.  sl\.)itly 
aftei  i'.-  '''livery,  surreiiilrreil.  i\o  Mumer  hail  the  Coiiliaiire 
surrendered,  ilian  the  Saraioua's  hroadsiile  was  SDrnnn:  to  hear 


uix 


on  the    liiniicl.    wl.irh   .strnek    IH 


I'lllei  11    niiiiiiles    al'lCT- 


Wards.  Onr  ^hiop  had  strnek  to  the  llaijh;  some  lime  helore  ; 
ami  the  'I'l  •ondcroja  caused  the  surrender  ol'  the  reniainiiiir 
doop.     'I'hrtT  ol  till'  i:alleys  vviresnnk  ;  the  ten  others  esca|»ed. 


Hv  ll 


le  tiMie  this  ile-<|)erat(;  e(Mil<>l  was  over,  there  was  scare* 


ly 


a  mast  in  either  Mpiadron  ea|iali|r  ol  hcariiiii'  :i  f^i'd.  and  Ine 
grealt  r  part  ol'  the  vessels  were  in  a  sinkiiin  >tate.  There 
were  tilty-iive  round  shot  in  iIk;  hull  ol'the  Sarato<ia,  and  in  tiie 
Conliance  one  hundred  ;Mid  live.  The  Saratoi^a  was  twice  set 
on  lire  hy  hot  .-hoi.  ()|  the  crew  ol  t'le  ('oiihaiici,  lifis  were 
killed,  and  sixty  wounded  ;  anMUiuf  the  loriner  was  eaplain  Dow- 
iiie.  (  )m  hoard  the  .Siraioifa,  thert!  were  t\ventv-ei;:hl  killed,  ol 
whom    lienlt'iiant  (iaiidile  was  one.  ami  tweiilv-niiie  wotiiided, 


Litniteiuml  Siaushiirv,  ol  the   TieoiKltr 


<  i''a. 


■on  of  iieneral  Slatis- 


bliry  ol  Marylatid,  lost  his  lil'e;  and  lientenani  Smith,  acting 
lie.MU  iianl  Spencer  and  fnid>hipiiian  l?alilw  in  were  ainoiiir  the 
wounded.  The  total  lo-s  in  the  Anieiicaii  sipiadroii  amounted 
to  IJIty-tw  o  killed,  and  liliy-eiLdit  wounded.  The  enemy  had 
eilfhtN-lour  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  ten  wounded.  'I'he 
action  lasted  two  lumrs  ami  twenty  niinnie.s. 

This  eniranciiK  111,  so  deeply  iiiiere.«"tinu  and  on   the  result  of 
which  so  much  was  at  stake,  look  place  in  siuhi  ol'  the  hostile 


ley  were  oy  no    nnaiis  cjuiet    spectator-  >  '    the 


armies.      Mui  li 

scene  :  a  ireiin'iidoiis  cantionade  was  kept  up  iliiriiiij  the  whole 
lime,  and  tlii!  air  was  lilled  with  hoinlis.  rockets  and  hot  halls. 
Three  ih'sperate  (llorts  were  made  hy  tlie  j'MitisJi  to  cross  iho 
river  and  slorm  the  American  works,  m  winch  tliey  were  as 
often  repulsed  with  coiisiderahle  loss.  Their  aniour,  however, 
lialurally  ahaleil,  alter  w  ilnessini;  the  painliil  si^iht,  so  little  ex- 
peeted,  (d'  llu;  capturt;  of  nearly  their  wlude  licet.  Allho.iirh 
the  liriiii;"  was  kept  up  iiiilil  dark,  the  plans  td  sir  (Je(»rife  I're- 
vosl  were  completely  frustrated.  Now  that  the  Americans  had 
the  eoinmand  of  Lake  ('liaiiipl.iiii,  the  possession  of  their  works 
on  the  land  c<»tild  not  serve  him  in  anv  lurtluv  desiirn  ;  and  in 
the  meantime,  he  was  exposed  to  daiii^rr  wliicii  incjfased  with 
the  hiMirly  ant(meniaiion  ol'  tin;  Aiueiican  fiu'ce.  lie  deter- 
mined therefore  to  rais(;  the  sie^je.  I  nder  cover  of  the  ni;;lit, 
lie  sent  oil  all  ihe  hasiu'a^c  and  artillery  for  wliitdi  he  eonld 
obtain  uumiim  of  lrans[)orl;ilion  ;  and  prucipitalel)  followed  w  ith 


272 


nRACKEMUDCnrS 


Itflrciil  nl'ilir  Hriii>li  Army  iVoiii  Ilic  Aniiri<  an  'I'lr-ihTV. 

all  Ills  lorccH,  Icaviii^r  hcliiiid  liiiii  tlic  hick  and  u  uiiiided.  At 
daybreak  of  llie  12lli,  wlicii  this  iuovciik  nt  was  discovered,  lie 
was  |)iirsur(l  liy  ilu'  AiiicricauH.  'i'liey  capHircd  s<»me  strj'.g- 
glers,  and  covircd  ihc  e.sc.ipt?  ol  ;i  ^rifat  miiiilxr  ol  dfsj'iters  ; 
but  ucre  picvciited  i)y  had  weather  Iroin  roiiiimrnif^  the  j)ur- 
suit  hcyoiid  Cliazy,  a  distance  ol  lomteen  mdes  Irttm  I'latis- 
bur^r.  'I'ho  loss  ot  the  liiitish  it:  kdled,  wounded  and  iiiissirig 
was  about  lilieeii  hniidrcd  men:  ol  ilu*  Americans,  thirty-seven 
killed,  bixly-lwo  wounded  and  twj-niy  missiniT.  Vaat  (jnanli- 
tics  of  provisions,  animimiiion  and  implements  of  war,  which 
the  enemy  had  not  tinm  to  lake  with  iheni  or  destroy,  ftdl  into 
the  hands  of  the  Americans,  in  the  course  of  the  dav  ;  and  the 


amount  was  inca 


hid 


ily 


increased    hv  u 


hat 


were  allcrwan 


Is    i 


ount 


(!(!n  in    marshes,  or  huried    in    ilie  lm'ouikI 


V 


roinotions    o 


f 


all  who  disiinifuished  tiicuiM'lves  on  this  tdorious  day  immedi- 
ately took  place:    at  tin-  head  of  the  list  were  (:.u*neral  Macomb 


and 


eommodori! 


Tl 


lO.-C   o 


r  the 


M'j) 

Unii 


onnUl>ll. 


isli  arm)   and  u\\\ 


y 


w 


ho  f< 


were  interre( 


with    the    lionoiirH    of    war.      'J'he     luinane    attention    of    ll 


le 


Ame 


ricans  to  llr,-  wounded,  and  liiei'*  generous  politeness  lo 
th(!  prisoners,  wnv  acknowlcdjjcd  in  <fr..'eful  icrins  by  ca|)taiii 
l*ryn<:,  tlu;  suci csstn-  of  caiitaiu  Dmw  nic,  in  his  olli<-ial  ilespatch 
to  the  Hritihh  adtniraliy. 

'J'hiis  was  this  porlentons  invasion  most  happily  rej)elled  ; 
another  of  our  inland  seas  made  ^!orions  in  all  eomin<>  time; 
and  the  "  star-spannlcd  banner"*  waved  in  triumph  over  'he 
waters  of  Chautplam,  as  ov(  r  those  ol'  Kric  and  ( )niario.  'I'lie 
lakes,  tiioso  nobl(!  features  of  our  j^reat  continent,  are  now  view- 
ed with  as  interest  which  is  aiisoeiaied  with,  and  Ik  i;jhtened  by, 
the  recolicciicuis  of  victories  won  from  powerlul  enemies,  in  the 
assertion  ol"  our  rifihts. 


HISTORY  OF  TIIK  WAR. 


273 


iilllllllily  orSt'llIlliiflll  III  roMl.'rr-ir<. 


,  .\i-L'<itiali<iiii  u  itli  (in  ,'it  llrilaiii. 


ciiArrER  \\. 


riiMiiiiiiity  iif  SiiitiiiK  III  ill  ('i>H!;ri'*<^— NiL-iiliiiliiiiis  uiili  «;n>nf  nriltiin— Briliuli 
Sum-  Una  .N'mi — llartlurd  ( 'mn  i-iit  inn  — .Mr  llnlilli  'i  Itrimit  in  llif  l,i'!.'i»laliiri'<ir  I'fiiii- 
^ylvallia — Ki-iimxal  iiCIIm  Si  al  iirCiiMTiiini-iit  rrntii  \\'a-.|ijii|.'iiiii  iiuitali'il  — Mr  Dallas 
a|i|)iiiiitril  S«  rrclarv  nC  llif  'rnasiirv  — liiipnivniiciit  in  niir  I'liiain'r-i — Allaire  In  tlu- 
l^iiulliwanl  — Allark  III!  I'ort  llnwyrr  iinisi  uallantly  ri'iiiiNcil  — liirnail  iiitn  I'lorula,  unil 
C'a|iiiiri'  III'  I'riisartila,  hy  (icm-ral  Jackson — liivasinit  ni'  t.nnisiaiiii  iiirilitatt-ii  liy  Ihu 
I!riti-ji— l'r«  iiaratiiiii-  li.r  l{i<i-laiiri — Arrival  nl'  tJi-iirral  Jai  ksnii  at  Ncu  ( irlcaiiH — 
IIh  I'h  scnrc  iii-iiir)"  <  ■iiiirnlfiirc — Itrili-li  I'li  i  I  arriMs  nil'  Ilu-  Coasl — ('a|itiiri'  of  tlit' 
Anirricaii  «;iiiF-ll()als— Miiriial  Law  ili  >  Ian  .1  ii>  (Hiicral  .laik^tiM — llritisli  {'on  is  land 
u  iiliin  .-cM-ii  Milri  (if  .Nivv  <  irliaii-;  — Italllr  i>r  tin-  -Jilil  oi'  |)i  r.  mlur -l{r«iilN  of  tin? 
Itattli- — (fi'iii'ial  Jai  k?>i>n  cuf  ampH,  and  Inrlilic-  liim-i  11—  AH'aii-i  i<\'  tlir  "i-ili  nt'  Iti'c ciii- 
l)L'r,  aiiil  ci|  llii  l-l  nr.laiinarv  l»l.'( — I'li^itinn  cilthi  Aimriran  Triiniis  — llriii»li  |prr|)arii 
til  .stnriii   III''  Ann  I II  an  \\'iiik>  iiri  Imlli  «nlisii|   ilir    Mi--.i->i|i|i!  — Miiimralilr  Italllc  (if 


llif  Mil  c>r  .laniiar\ — |ir  iili  nt' (irinral   I'ai  krnliain— Itil'cal  anil  'I'l  rrilili'  <  "arna 


III'  0 


f 


I  lie  Itriti^li  on  III!  I.ii'i  Hank  nl'  lln-  l!i\  ir —  Xniirnans  ilrivin  trmn  llnii  I  nlrriiililili'lits 
nil  tilt-  KiL'lit  Hank— l,i>ni<iana  i'\arnali  il  liv  tlir  Hrili-li  —  I'li-m  ri--l'il  HMinliarillnrlil 
ol'  Tnrt  SI  riii|i|i  li\  till-  Hriii--li— l>i|)rr(laiiiiii-  nl'  Ailniiral  t'ni  klmrri  almi^  the  SnullRrii 
Coual— I'l  ate  \\  itli  t;nat  Uriiain— T<  nii>  nl  lln   'Iri  at\— (.'inuiusiiui. 


■» 


Till-;  nittional  l('irisl;itiir(>  ••oiivciumI,  iitvtr  llic  closn  of  the  year 
18M,  u  iili  lci'liii<:s  very  ililliTciil  iVoiii  those  winch  h;ul  existed 
in  that  Ixxly  lor  many  years  |)revioiis.  I'arfy  spirit,  il  is  true,  still 
gh)\ve(l  hen.  ath  its  aslies  ;  hut  whatever  variety  of  sentiment 
nii«,'hl  prevail  with  respect  in  iht;  past,  and  as  to  the  men  in  power, 
there  w  as  hut  lillh^  as  to  the  eour>e  to  he  pursued  in  I'lilure.  'I'lie 
aecusalioii  of  heiiiij  sulijei't  to  I'reuch  intlueiice  could  no  lonj^er 
be  i)roiiLdit  airaiiisl  the  adininistratioii ;  the  war  had  now  become 
a  war  ordelence;  and  the  re(;eiit  conduct  of  the  IJritish  jfovern- 
nu'iil  rendered  it  iinpossihje  (oranvoue  to  say  that  she  was  not 
wantonly  pursuiu<r  hostilities. 

'I'iu!  w  hole  country  I'eli  the  neirlect  villi  which  Great  Rritain 
had  treated  our  ministers  in  Eiiro|)e.  SuHerinir  them  at  first 
to  remain  lor  months  unnoticed,  and  afterwards  shiftinir  the 
place  of  neirotiatiiMi.  slu?  had  endeavoin'ed,  with  a  duplicity  ua- 
beciMuinu'  a  ureal  nation,  to  prtdonir,  lor  half  a  year,  a  treaty 
whii'h  mijrht  have  been  accomplished  in  a  day.  Hut  when  the 
first  occurrence  whieji  took  place  on  the  meetini«;  of  the  iiniisli 
and  American  commissioners  was  made  known,  it  pro  '        ' 


274 


nRAc.'KENKincnrs 


Ncgotiutiiina  with  litnit  lliilam Ilriiinli  Sjiio  Uim  Ntm. 

a  burst  of  iii(li<ri)ati()ti  Iroin  :ill  |);irtic»,  hotli  on  tlio  lloor  ol 
congress  and  tliroiitrliout  the  iitiioii.  !l  was  now  iIi(miu;IiI  that 
all  liopos  of  ]ipac('  \vrr(!  at  an  i-nil,  ant!  the  |mm»|)1('  liciriii  to 
prcpan'  tlicir  minds  lor  a  loMfr  and  bloody  war.  In  the  in- 
structions wliich  tlK'v  had  roccivcd,  our  couiinissioncrs  were 
authorized  to  pa^.  the  SMltjiM't  of  ini|)r('ssnn'nt  in  silfucc  lor  the 
present,  lly  the  pacilication  of  Murojte,  the  motives  which 
had  iinhiccd  (ircal  iJnlain  to  resort  to  inipressuient,  no  loni;er 
existed — the  practice  had  ceased  with  its  alleged  necessity. 
Tho  suhject  of  lilockade,  by  the  tall  <d"  iNapoleon,  was  also  at 
an  end;  and  could  not  he  |)erniiile(l  to  siaiul  in  the  way  of  ne- 
gotiations lor  peac<'.      In  fact  there  was  iiothiiiu;  in  controversy 


betw 


een 


the  t 


wo  nations  :  and  a  war  which  had  urown  out  ol 


ihe  war  in  Murope  and  the  injuries  inllicted  <i|)oij  us  hv  the 
Enj^lish  and  French  helliirerenis,  came  naturally  to  a  conclusion 
when  peac(!  was  restored  to  l'iUro| 


)e 


i'erhaps  our  tjovernnu'nt  was  censurahic  lor  manifeslinjr  tbi^ 


great  anxiety  lor  peace  ;  perhaps  we  oui:lil  never  to  lia\c  yi( 


■Id- 


cd,  until  some   provision  had  heen  nuuh;  by  the  oneniy  to  pre- 
vent the  future  recurrence  of  th(!  detestable  abuses  inse|)arable 
from  th(!  practice;  of  impressinir  her  si-amen  from  onr  vessfds. 
le  nation  at  this  moiiu'iil  required  peace  ;  we  had  suflere 


Hut  tl 

niuti.  iVom  our  inexperience  diirinir  this  first  war  ;  and  a  few  vears 
of  repose  woidd  enal)le  us  to  vindicate  our  rights  with  p;reater 
ho|)e  of  success.  It  was  reasonabh'  to  conclude  that  d'reat 
Britain,  by  this  time,  felt  that  she  had  paid  dearly  for  the  im- 
pressment of  Americans  and  lh(;  coiiliscaiicm  of  their  property, 
and  that  hereafter  slu;  woidd  be  cautious  of  seizinir  the  persons, 


thth 


„ ^  nmmerce  ot  our  cili/ens.     Hesides,  a  war 

is  seldom  so  successful  as  i  »  enable  the  victor  to  wriiiL'  from  bis 
enemy  an  acknowledii.Miientof  his  wioiiLf:  it  is  by  the  resistance 
raade,  and  the  injury  inllicted,  that  its  object  is  attained.  The 
sincere  wish  of  the  American  gov<"rnmeni  for  jieace;  was  not 
met  in  a  corrcspondinif  spirit  by  the  Mritish  commissioners. 
The  latter  |>roj)oscd  at  once,  as  a  slur  qua  tion,  llu;  surrender 
of  an  immensi!  portion  of  tlu;  American  territory,  and  a  total 
relinquishment  of  the  lake  shores,  'i'liese  newaiul  unwarrant- 
able pretensions  excited  universal  astonishment,  (,'oiild  it  be 
supposed  that  the  I'hijilish  commissioners  would  descend  to  the 
trillinsr  ar'.ilice  of  proloiiLnu^"  the  neijoliaiion  by  proposinjj  terms 
from  which  \\\v.y  meant  to  recede  .'  Coidd  they,  consistently 
with  the  dignity  of  their  nation,  recedt;  from  them  ?  If  seriously 
made,  such  propt)sals  arj^nied  either  a  surprising  igi^orance  of 
the  sitniition  of  the  I'nited  .States,  or  a  disposition  to  insidt  our 
government  in  the  grossest  manner. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


275 


Hurt  run)  riiiiviMitioM K)'iiio\iil  nrihr  Sfiil  uriSiivrriiniriit  iiBJIatcil. 


A  snl)j(i'l  uliicli  was  hroii^flil  hrfori'  tlii'  l('L'i"<i;iliirr  <»l'  IN'iin- 
siylvauia  liiriii^licd  a  siroii;;  prool"  cif  ilu*  general  disposition  to 
uiiilc  in  till'  cause  o|' the  comiirv.  The  IcMltrs  oftlu'  parly  in 
the  ISi'W  I'.iiL'laiiil  sta'cs  opp(»st  tl  to  tin;  war,  had  jiiowii  every 
ilay  more  and  niort;  inteni|)erate,  wliilo  the  {rrcat  mass  of  the 
popnlaiion  of  those  (hsiriets.  on  \]\v.  contrary,  was  heconiinj^ 
lieiier  rectxicih'd  to  it.  Iiidcr  a  mistaken  ideaoltht;  real  scn- 
limcnis  ol  iht;  people,  it  was  snL'i^csied  ilial  a  convention,  to 
consist  of  deh'i:ales  iVoni  the  dillereiil  stales  coinposiiiii  New 
Kn^hiiid,  should  meet  at  Ilarll'ord,  in  ( 'oiincfiicut.  lis  ohject, 
accorthiiir  to  rumour,  was  no  h'ss  than  a  (hscussion  ol  the  pro- 
priety oT  a  dismemherinenl  of  the  union.  Whatever  were  the 
views  (d  its  projectors,  the  proposal  was  not  received  with 
much  favour.  Deputies  from  only  three  states,  refircsenling 
scarcely  a  third  of  Sew  I'.n^dand,  convened  ;  and  a  short  session 
lerminaied  in  the  adoption  of  a  declamatory  address  on  suhp-cts 
now  nearly  forirotien,  and  a  remonstrance  or  memorial  to  the 
congress  of  the  I'nited  States,  enumeratinj;  some  ohjeciions  to 
tlte   federal    constitution.     'I'his  extraordinary  paper  was  siib- 


111 


iited   to  the  le^nsiatures  of  the  several  slates  for  their  app 


ro- 


hation,  and    was  rejected   hy  them   all.      In    the    le<:islature  of 


!• 


enns\l\aiiia,  it  was  leleirctl  to  a  C(unmiltee  ;  and  a  nohle  aiu 


(1 


cloipien*  report  on  the  snhject  was  drawn  up  hy  a  memlxir  of 
the  opposition,'  in  which  the  causes  of  (•omplami  set  lorth  in 
it  were  cleaily  refuted,  the  coiislitution  of  the  union  was  ahly 
vindicated,  ami   the  conduct  of  the    mcmoriajisis  .><e\('relv  cen- 


sured. JiCl  It  l>e  llie  warm  prayer  ol  every  American,  that  the 
confederacy  of  the  stal(  s,  a  lahric  reared  hy  llie  hands  of  sages 
and  ceinenteil  l)y  the  iilood  (d"  patriots,  luay  he  eternal.  How 
much  hloodslied  has  it  not  sa\rtl  alreadv,  and  how  much  will 
It  not  save  in  liilure  .'  IjcI  us  phice  liefore  our  vyct^  the  eternal 
wars  of  the  (Grecian  states  ;  and  learn  from  them,  that  independ- 
ent powers  iinmedia.tely  adjaceiil  to  (  ach  other  are  iialural  ene- 
mies. \\'hat  stren;itli  does  not  this  iflorious  union  ^iwr  to  each 
imlividiial  state!  and  what  conseiinence  thies  it  e(»nler  on  each 
individual  ciii/.en,  who  is  therehy  made  the  memher  of  a  jrreat 
naticni,  instead  «d'  Ik  iiii:  one  (d  a  petty  tidie  I  Let  us  hope  that 
no  vinhaj)py  jealou.-ies,  no  irreconcilahli'  interests,  may  arise  to 
hreali  in  suinUr  the  hoiids  hy  w  hndi  W(!  are  united  ! 

Another  iin|)ori!iii  mailer  wa-<  hroniiht  helore  conirress 
duriiif^  the  present  session,  'i'iie  destriiclion  of  the  j)iil)lic 
huil(lin::s  (d'  Wasiiiuiiion  hy  the  IJriiish  atlorded  an  opportunity 
to  the  oj)ponents  ol   thai  place  as    the  seal  of  government,  to 


n\ 


Ml  IJidilc,  now  i'Rtiukiit  i.l'llif  Dunk  uftiif  LjiitLcl  Stiites. 


270 


imACKENiunrjirs 


Ml'  l»!ill;iv  !i|i|Miliit(il  S<'(  ntary  of  Ilic  TrMiHiiry Airiiir-  In  iIm-  Sniiihunrd. 


advoriilp  tlif  selection  of  aiiotluT  site 


illK 


'•enoiis  a 


pprel 


ten- 


sions \v<'re  eiiterlaiiicd  tlial  their  views  would  prevail.  Hut 
lliese  Teats,  and  the  snhjeet  wliieli  yavt!  rise  to  tliei:i,  wi-re  soon 
|)til   to  re^l.      V Ciieralion  lor  tlio  great   lather  (»T  our  repnljlie 


oxercised  a  siiecesslnl  inlhjeiice 


tid  tl 


w  citv  ol 


NV 


islllll<r|()n 


is   now  destined   !or  ayes,  and  it    is  hoped   lor  tver,  to    he  the 
liKitropolis  of  the  (  iiit( d  Slates. 
Our  linanees  at    this  critical 


ni 


onient  af)peareil  to  revive, 
nnder  the  indefatiirahle  industry  and  <:r(.'ai  ahdiiies  of  .Mr  Dailaai, 
whom  the  President  hehcled  to  till  the  post  of  secretary  of  the 
ireasin'y.      His  |ilans  were  chaiactcri/ed  l)\-  the  yreaiot   hold- 


ness, 


hill 


were  nnlohled   ni  so  luniiiiotis  a  manner  as   to  car 


ry 


ponviclion   to  every  mind.      He   in;iy  he  said  to    have  j)hiclved 
np    the  .sinkinir   credii  of   the    iihimmi   hv    ilie    locks.     At  tl 


HI 


sanio  lime,  the  duties  ol  the  secretary  of  war.  in  addilioii  to 
his  other  avocations,  were  dischar^icd  hy  Mr  Monroe.  In 
itndertakiiijr  this  oliicc,  he  exhihited  no  small  ( (uirasjje  ;  for  it 
had  hei-ome  a  forhnai  hope  of  popularity  :  he  \s  as  hajipilv  re- 
warded hy  the  most  forlunale  success  in  ail  his  ineasun 
hy  the  applause  of  the  w  hoh;  ctuintrv". 

Meanwhih',  the  piihiic  attention  was  awakt^ned  hy  the  alar 
ing  asjx'ct  of  all'airs  to  the  southward. 

(jcneral  .lackson,  atur  c(Micludiii:i    the  treaty  recounted  in  a 


ami 


in- 


former chapter  with  the  main  hudy  ol' t!i(!  (.'reel 

Alahama    and    (ieoiL'ia,    had   lraii>l(  rred    his    head   (piarlers    to 


<s,  rcMtiiiiL''  in 


M 


Ohlle 


11 


ere,  lie  recenrd  rcriaiii  iiilormalion  thai  three  Mril- 


ish  ships  of  war  had  arn\(d  ■a\  l*('ii>;icola,  in  Wist  I'iorida,  then 
a  posMssion  helont;iii!j  to  the  Spanish  nation,  with  w  liom  wo 
were  at  peace,  and  had  lauded  three  hundred  soldiers,  ami  a  larixo 
(inantiiy  of  aminuniiion  and  nuns  for 


ion  and  tiiius  lor  armiiij:  'he  Iinhau>,  with 
(he  view  (»f  inakinn'  :in  as>auli  upon  fori  IJowycr,  a  hattery 
situated  on  Mobile  l*.iinl  and  eominaiRJiiii;-  the  eiitraiifc  to 
Mohile  Day,  II<' also  leariil  that  the  licet  <if  ■.idiniral  (."ochrane 
had  hi'eii  rcinlorced  ai  Ih  rmiida.  and  that  thirteen  .ships  of  the 
line,  wiih  transports  having  ten  'hoiisMu!  irooj)s  on  hoard,  for 
the  purpose  of  invadiii<i'  some  of  the  southern  states,  were  daily 
expected,  thi  the  recfi|)i  of  this  iiilelli^jence,  he  iiiiiuedialely 
w  rot(^  to  the  <:overiior  of  'ri'iiues.-ee,  caliini:'  for  llie  whole 
<|UOta  of  militia  from  that  state. 

Tilt!  three  vesx'ls  at  I'eesatada,  lia\  in^  been  ioiiii  d  hv  an- 
other vesM'l.  anil  having  take  n  the  iroops  on  ho.ird,  sailed  troni 
thence,  and  appeared,  on  the  I5lli  of  Seplemher,  oil'  .Mohile 
Point,  'i'he  naval  fitrce,  luouiitiiiL!  in  all  i:ineiv  1:11ns,  was 
c(uninaud(  (1  hy  captain  Percy  :  the  land  troojis,  (•(•iisisiinjr  of 
one  hundred  and  leu  marines,  two  hundred  Creeks  headed  hy 


HISTORY  OF  Tin:  WAR. 


277 


Altiirk  till  Furl  Hiiw  w-r  r<'|iiilM-<l Iiirntiil  in  in  i'lornlii  by  (•ciDriil  Jar  km 


III. 


I  111  :i 

ii:  in 

IS    to 

Hril- 

,  then 

II  \\C 

w  illi 

lUt'iy 

i-V  lo 
InMtin 
)!'  ilie 
or 
•ihiily 
aU'ly 
w  lldlo 

iv  an- 
ii'diii 
l..i)ilc 
was 

\vd  l)y 


rt 


captain  WuodlHiM',  and  twniiy  arlillcrisis,  \\\\\\  a 


hattc 


rv  of  one 


t\v«'lvr-|i<uni(lrr  and  a  li(»\vil/rr,  were  nndt  r  tin;  cnniniand  of  iIir 
inlaiiimis  colinifl  Nu'lidlls.  (hi  ilic  same  day,  at  luiir  o'clock 
in  the  af'ti'rnoon,  the  troops  liavinu^  I'Ccn  landi'd.  tin-  attack  coin- 
meiMMMl  liy  ;i  l)ond)ar(lnM'iit  Ironi  the  vcs-iclii,  ai;d  a  cannonade 
from  ilic  two  pirccsoraiiillcrv,  \\  liicli  had  Iiccn  |>lanicd  at  asnial 
distance  Iroin,  and  in  the  lear  of,  the  lorl.     l-'cri  I 


»i'\v\  cr  nioiin 


t<(l 

iweniy  pieces  ol  cannon,  and  was  coniinaiideil  hy  Miaji-r  |,aw- 
rciieo,  of  ih<-  Second  reiiinieiit  of  infaiiiry,  with  one  hiindfcd  and 
twenty  men  \.  der  iiini.  \\  iih  this  (h>propoitionaie  force,  he 
"OtMi  (h'ovc  di,'  ''iieniN's  troo]»s  iVoni  then*  position  mi  >hiire,  \)y 
dis(  hariics  of  urapc  and  canister:  and,  after  a  caniKMiade  of  three 


1 


»nrs,  coni]n'lle(l  the  vet^scls  to  retire,  with  irreai  lo>>s. 


( 


apiaiii 


crcy  H  ship,   carryinu  twenty-two    ihirtN -t\\ d-poimders,    was 


dri\t'n  on  .sh(M'e  within  six  hundred  yards  ol  the  haiiery,  wlierc 
she  snlfered  so  sevcr(  1\',  that  those  on  huard  were  oI»hL'«'<l  tn  set 
lier  on  fire.  ()l  her  crew,  «>ri'jinatly  (me  hniKhul  and  sevcntv, 
only  twenty  elfected  their  escajie.  The  other  whips,  hesides 
belli}!  eonsiderahly  ininred.  lost  ei<:hiy-li\e  nieii  in  killed  and 
wonnded,  and  reinnied  to  rcnsacnla  to  re|)air  tliiir  daniaire  ; 
while  the  troops  rt'trealed  to  the  same  place  hy  land.  They 
were  ajjain  welcomed  hy  the  tjovernor,  in  direct  violation  of 
the  treaty  beiwci  n  Sjiaiii  and  the  Dnited  Stales. 

(Jeneial  .lackson,  now  a  maji'r-iieneral  in  the  army,  and 
commander  of  the  sunthwestern  militarv  district,  of  the  I  iiittHJ 
Slat 
col 


es,  iia\  inji'  in  vain  remonsiratei!  with  the  iroveriKn'  of  I'ciifta- 


I  on  Ins  reprehensiiilc  comlnct  in  harlxnirm^'  and  assisting 
our  enemies,  determined  to  seek  redress,  without  \\aiiini»;  for 
Mithoritv  Irom  the  Ann-rican  i!(i\  (  rmiienl.  IlaviiiL''  received  a 
reinforcement  ot  tuo  thousand  Teiuu  s-ee  militia  and  some 
(-hoctaw  Indians,  he  advanced  to  I'ensacola.  On  tin;  (ilh  of 
Novemher,  he  reached  the  neiy:hhoiMhoo(l  of  that  post,  and  ini- 
iiiedia'ely  sent  major  l*ierr»!  u  ith  a  llai!  to  the  L''overnor.  'I'his 
«)ll"icer,  however,  was  lired  iip«Mi  iVoin  tht'  fori,  and  ohliiicd  to 
return,  without  commiinicaiiii«r  the  ohp-ct  of  his  mission,  .lacl;- 
son  then  reconmtilered  the  I'orl,  and  limlimr  it  defended  holli  hy 
Hritish  and  Sjianiards,  mad(!  arranirements  lor  stormiiiir  tlu^  town 
the  next  day.  The  troops  were  put  in  motion  at  dayliiiht.  'Hiey 
liad  encamped  to  tin,'  westol  the  town  duriiiL!  the  niuhl ;  and  in 
order  to  induce  the  enemy  to  suppose  that  the  attack  wouhl  he 
made  from  that  (piarler,  the  jreneral  caused  jiart  ol  the  inouiiled 
men  to  show  themselves  on  the  west,  whilst  with  the  jrrcat 
hodv  ol"  tin;  troops  he  |>ass(!d  undiscovered,  in  the  rear  of  the 
fort,  to  the  east  ol  tlu;  town.  His  whole  lorce  hecame  visihle 
when  a  mile  di.slanl,  and  advanced  lirmly  to  the  town,  alihough 


'1. 

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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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278 


BRACKENRIDGE'S 


Jarkson  captures  Pcnsaccil.-i. 


.Invasion  ol'  Louisiana  nicditatrd  !iv  tli»;  Krilish- 


there  were  seven  I'riii.sh  pvmed  vessels  en   their  k^ft,  a  strong 
fort  ready  to  assail  I  hem   on  ihe  ri*;!it,  and  batteries  of  lieavy 


cannon  in  IVont.  (Jn  (MiteriiiK  the  town,  a  battery  of  two  can- 
nons, U)acled  with  ball  and  grape,  was  opened  on  the  central 
column,  composed  of  regnlars,  and  a  shower  of  musketry  poured 
from  the  houses  and  gardens.  'J'Jiis  I)attery  was  soon  carried, 
and  the  musUctry  weie  silenced.  The  governor  now  made 
his  appearance  with  a  Hag,  and  oil'ering  to  suiaxMuler  the  town 
and  fort  uncondiiioirally,  begjred  for  mercy.  Tiiis  was  {rrantcd, 
and  protection  giv(  ii  to  the  persons  and  property  of  the  inliabi- 
tants.  'J'he  connnandant  (-f  the  fort,  neverihelcss,  kept  the 
Americans  out  of  possession  until  n)i(hiight ;  and  evacuated  it 
just  as  they  were  j)reparing  to  nii.kc  a  I'urious  assault.  On  the 
8th,  the  lirilish  withdrew  wiili  their  shipping;  and  Jackson, 
Itaving  accomplished  his  purpose,  set  out,  on  the  Uili,  on  his  re- 
turn to  i\I(»l)iie. 

By  the  1st  of  8rptemi)cr  it  was  reduced  to  a  certainty,  that, 
notwithstanding  the  nciroliations  pending  between  the  United 
States  and  Great  Britain  at  (Jhent,  formidabl(>  preparations  were 
making  for  an  invasion  of  JiOuisiana.  Governor  Claiborne 
therefore  ordered  the  tv.o  divisions  of  die  militia  of  that  slate, 
the  fust  under  general  Villere  and  the  second  i.nder  general 
'I'homas,  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  mo- 
ment's warning.  He  also  issued  an  animating  atUlress,  calling 
on  the  iidiabiianls  to  turn  out  (u  'nui^sc,  for  the  defence  of  their 
families  and  homes.      On  the  lOih  of  Se]nend)et,  a  nundjer  of 


tl 


le   citizens  conveneil,  in  onler,  m  co-ojieration  with  the  civ 


•il 


autliorities,  to  devise  measures  for  the  defence  of  the  countrv. 
Edward  Livinjiston,  Escj.,  lately  deceased,  was  chosen  presi- 
dentof  the  meeting;  and,  after  an  eloquent  speech,  he  proposed 


a  spirited  resoiuuon,  going  to  repel  the  caMiimuoiis  insinuation 
that  the  citizens  of  New  Orleans  were  disall'ectetl  lo  the  Ame- 
rican <ro'.  MMinent,  and  manifesting,  as  far  as  lanijuage  could  do, 


tl 


leir  determination  to  oj)pose  the  enemv 


'J'l 


lis  resolution  was 


adopted  by  the  meeting  unanimously,  and,  when  made  public, 
was  received  with  demonstrations  of  universal  a[)j)lause. 

Thus  far,  the  war  had  been  fell  in  this  portion  of  the  union 
only  in  its  cflects  on  commercial  and  agricultural  property. 
In  consequence  of  the  suppression  of  trade  and  the  low  price 
of  all  kinds  of  produce,  the  people  had  sull'ered  much.  The 
banks  had  stopped  payment,  and  distresses  of  every  kind  had 
begun  lo  be  fell.  'I'lie  great  mass  of  the  |)lanlers  of  Louisiana, 
(at  least  those  of  Frenrh  origin)  of  an  amiable  and  gentle  dis- 
position, had  paid  but  little  attention  to  the  war;  and,  outside 
of  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  the  militia  could  scarcely  be  said 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


279 


Preparntions  for  R(!siritanre Confidence  inspired  by  Jnrkson's  Presence. 

to    be  orfTiuiizcHl,  nuieli  less  disciplined  or  armed.     Nothing 
short  of  an  acliial  invnsioii  could  rouse  them.     In  the  city  the 


ease  was  ditrercu 


It.      !• 


rom  the  commeiipeineiit  of  the  war,  as 


if . sensible  ot"  the  feeble  help  which  they  could  expect  from  the 
jG^eneral  <io\crnnient,  the  inhabitants  had  manilcstcd  the  greatest 
alacrity  in  (jualifying  themselves  for  taking  the  field  against 
an  invader.  lOvery  man,  capal)le  of  bearinir  arms,  had  become 
a  soldier,  aiui  perhaps  in  no  ()i!i(;r  city  of  tlie  country  were 
there  such  fre(]uenl  and  cleoaat  disphiys  of  widl  disciplined 
and  well  dressed  volunteer  companies.  'I'he  aptitude  of  French- 
men for  the   profession  (d'  arms  was  now  sliown  to  have  bee 

1 


n 


inherileil  l)v  their  (lesceiubsnts  ;  ;uid   not  a   lew  ol   the  natives 


o 


f  F 


ranee,   men   w 


ho  luul  served   in   her  armie 


were  inter- 


mingled with  them.  The  free  people  of  colour,  a  numerous 
class,  were  permitted,  as  a  pri\  ilem',  to  form  volumeer  compa- 
nies and  wear  uniform  :  some  (d"  these  were  natives,  but  the 
greater  part  were  refugees  tVom  the  island  of  St  Domingo. 
'Fhe  dissensions,  hitherto  of  iVe'pient  occurrence,  between  what 
were  termed  the  American  and  Frencli  inhabitants,  were;  heal- 
ed by  a  union  of  dislike  to  tlie  Fnglish  and  of  hearty  deter- 
mination to  frustrate  liieir  (h^sirns. 

'J'he  chief  dependence  of  tin;  inhabitants  of  New  Orleans  for 


sa 


fet 


V,  was  111  the  nature  o 


f  the 


siirroundino'  »;f-antry,  am 


1  its 


exceodinir  diilicullv  of  access    to  an  eneinv   irivadin'j  by   sea. 
In  front  is  a  shallow  coast,  and  the  principal  entrance  is  a  river, 


w 


hich. 


alter  crossing  the  bar,  is  nariow.  deep  and  rapid,  aiu 


dof 


a  course  so  windin<r  that  it  was  easy  to  fortify  it-     'I'o  the  west 


are  impassable  swamp 


s,  and  on  the  east,  the  low  m:;rshy  coasts 


can  l)e  approacheil  only  ihrongli  a  sliallow  ixkc. 


•11 


le  most  natu- 


ral defence  of  such  a  country,  would  be  gun-boats,  or  yessels 
drawing  little  water  aiul  capable  oi"  beingeasily  transferred  from 


place  to  ])lace.  dreat  uneasiness,  Imwever,  jM-evailed,  on  ac- 
count of  the  inadequacy  of  the  means  tor  opi)osiiig  the  j)owcrfuI 
invadinir  force  which  was  expected.  1/Ouisiana,  like  other  parts 
of  the  union,  had  been  U-I't 
iieiti 
was  certainly,  as  it  respected 


the  administration  (winch 


had 


ler  money  nor  men  to  si'iu!)  to  rely  ch icily  on   itself.     It 


men,  arms  ami  military  works,  in 
a  most  (ItMenceless  coiidiiion.  The  legislature  had  been  con- 
vened, and  WcH  in  session  ;  but  instead  of  the  active  provision 
of  means  of  resistance,  mucli  oi'  its  time  was  spent  in  idle  dis- 
cussion. 

In  times  of  general  alarm  and  danger,  nothing  is  of  so  nuich 
importance,  as  a  man  at  the  head  of  alf.urs  possessed  of  firm- 
ness and  decision  of  character.     Happily,  at  this  critical  junc- 


i 


280 


BKACKENRIDGE'S 


Hri"-ih  I'liM^t  airiv(;s  otl'tlie  Coast Capturo  oftlit^  Aiiicric  an  (luii-lloats. 

turo,  there  was  found  such  an  one  in  jrcneral  Jackson.  'JMiis 
ofl'u^er  hastened  his  departure  from  iNlobile,  on  hcarini>  of  the 
danirer  of  i\(!W  (JrU'ans,  and  arrived  llien;  on  the  2d  of  l)e- 
cend>er.  His  presence  was  instantly  felt  in  the  conliilencc 
which  it  inspired,  and  the  nnaniinity  and  alacrity  willi  whicli 
all  seconth'd  every  disposition  and  measure  which  he  diiected. 
He  visit(ul  in  person  the  i)oints  at  whicli  it  was  necessary  to 
erect  works.  All  the  inlets,  or  bayous,  front  liic  Alcluil'alaya 
river  to  the  Chef  Alentenr  pass  or  channel,  were  ordered  to 
be  obstructed.  'J'he  banks  of  the  Mississippi  were  forlilied  by 
liis  directi(»n,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  prevent  any  of  the  eiien\y's 
vessels  from  ascending';  and  a  l>atlery  was  (irected  on  the  Clief 
Menteur,  so  as  to  oppose  the  passa;^e  of  the  enemy  in  that  di- 
rection. He  tluMi  called  on  the  legislature  to  iurnisii  him  the 
means  of  expediting'  the  dilferent  works  which  lu;  had  marked 
out — re(iuisiiions  whiidi  met  with  j)rompt  comjdiance.  About 
one  thousand  regulars  were  alationed  at  Aew  Orleans,  which, 
tofiether  with  the  'J'ennessee  militia  under  jrenerals  Coll'ee  and 
Carrol,  were  distributed  at  the  most  vulneral)le  points.  In  an- 
ticipation of  the  approachinjr  daniicr,  military  supplies  had  been 
forwarded  by  the  Ohio  river;  -^nd  the  govcirnors  of  Tennessee 
and  Kentucky  had  been  called  ipon  for  a  considerable  force, 
to  be  sent  with  all  possible  expedition  to  Louisiana. 

On  the  0th  of  I)ecend)er,  certain  intelligence  was  received 
that  the  British  lleet,  consisting  of  at  least  sixty  sail,  was  otV 
the  coast  to  the  east  of  the  Mississippi.  Commodore  Patterson, 
commander  of  tb.e  naval  station,  immediately  despatehed  a  llo- 
tillaof  live  gun-boats,  under  the  commaiid  of  lieutenant  'I'homas 
Ap  Cateshy  Jones,  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy.  They 
were  discovered  in  such  force  olfCat  Island,  at  the  entrance  of 
Lake  liorgne,  that  the  lieutenant  determined  to  make  sad  for 
the  passes  into  Lake  Pontchartrain,  in  order  to  oppose  the  en- 
trance of  the  liritish.  'I'he  Sea  Horse,  sailing-master  Johnson, 
after  a  gallant  resistance,  was  captured  in  the  Bay  of  tSi  Louis. 
On  the  I'lth,  the  gun-boats,  wlule  becalmed,  were  attacked  by 
nearly  forty  barges,  carrying  twelve  hundred  men,  and,  after  a 
contest  ol'  an  hour  with  so  overwhelming  a  force,  they  surren- 
dered. The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  forty  killeil  and  wound- 
ed :  aiming  the  latter  lieutenant  Spidden,  who  lost  an  arm;  and 
lieutenants  Jones  and  APKeever.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was 
estimated  at  three  hundred  men. 

The  destruction  of  the  gun-!)oals  now  placed  it  in  the  power 
of  the  enemy  to  choose  his  point  of  attack,  and,  at  the  same 
time,  in  a  great  measure  deprived  the  Americans  of  the  means 
of  watching  his  motions.     The  commander-in-chief  ordered  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


281 


Martini  I.uv.  tlcclareil  by  c:oneral  Jackson 


battalion  of  men  of  (.'olour,  iinilor  major  Lacoste,  toirotlicr  with 
tlic  Feliciana  draixooiis,  to  takn  no«t  on  tlie  C'hof  Monteur,  in 
order  to  cover  the  (Jentilly  road,  w  Iiich  leads  from  thence  to  the 
city,  anil  also  to  di-fend  the  passaL^o  from  Lake  nor^nio  into 
Lake  Pontohartrain  ;  while  ca.pi.iin  Newman,  of  the  artillery, 
who  eonjuianded  the  fort  at  thi^  IJiufolets,  the  second  and  only 
other  elunnud  hetweiMi  these  two  lakes,  wa.s  ordered  to  d(>fend 
that  jdiice  to  the  last  extremity.  Other  measures  were  rapidly 
adopted.  (Jolonel  Fortier,  one  of  the  princij^al  merchants  of  the 
citv,  who  had  the  superintendence  of  llu;  volunteers  composed 
of  lh(>  meii  of  colour,  formed  a  second  hattalion.  which  was 
placed  under  the  command  ol'  maif)r  Daipiin.  IJy  means  of 
bounties,  a  nnmher  of  persons  were  induced  to  serve  on  hoard 
the  schooner  Caroline  and  the  !»riL'  liOuisiana;  and  thus  the 
places  of  the  sailors  captured  by  the  I'rilish  were  supplied. 
On  the  I81I1,  the  commandir-in-chief  reviewed  the  city  rcgi- 
inents,  and  was  particularly  siralified  with  the  ajipearance  of 
the  \iniform  companies  commanded  by  mtijor  Plauche.  'f'he 
battalion  of  the  latter,  with  a  company  of  lisiht  artillery  under 
lieutenant  Wagner,  was  ortlered  to  Fort  St  .loi'.n,  for  the  protec- 
tion of  ih.e  bayou  ol"  that  name,  tlirou;j;h  which  access  could  be 
.oained  from  Lake  Fontchartrain  into  the  upper  part  of  the  city 
cf  New  Orleans,  or  across  to  the  .Mississippi.  An  embargo  for 
three  davs  was  decreed  by  th'?  legishiture  ;  a  number  of  persons 
confined  in  the  j)risons  were  liberated  on  condition  oi'  serving 
in  the  ranks  ;  and  at  l(Migth  the  etunmander-in-chief  conceived 
it  indispensa!)le,  for  the  safety  of  the  country,  to  proclaim  mar- 
tial law,  a  measure  whui,  perhaps  was  justitiahlc  in  the  cir- 
cumsta)ices.  About  this  time  Jiaibte  and  his  liaratarians — a 
horde  of  smtigglers  ami  pirates,  who  had  carried  on  their  illegal 
operations  from  an  almost  inaccessible  islaiul  in  the  lake  of  that 
name — availed  tiiemselves  of  the  amnesty  ami  pardon  odered 
them  l)y  governor  Olaiborne  on  condition  liiat  thcv  woidd  come 
forward  and  aid  in  the  defence  of  liie  eoimtry  ;  and  joined  the 
American  forces. 

All  the  principal  bayous  which  communicate  with  Lake 
Pontchartrain,  and  intersect  the  narrow  strip  of  land  between 
the  Mississippi  and  the  swamps,  had  been  olistructed.  There 
was,  however,  a  ehaiuiel  connected  with  Tiake  IJorgne,  called 
tlie  Bayou  Bienvenu,  and  having  its  head  near  the  plantation 
of  general  Villere,  seven  miles  below  the  city.  Altluuigh  it 
was  not  believed  that  this  pass,  which  was  known  to  few  ex- 
cept fishermen,  atl'orded  much  facility  for  the  approach  of  an 
invading  army,  general  .Jacksoti  gave  orders  that  it  should  be 
obstructed  and  guarded.    A  small  force  was  accordingly  station- 


282 


BRACKENIIIDGE'S 


L;iiiilirm  of  the  Rrilish  Army Haltli-  dl'lhr  'Jlid  cil'  Dcri'irihcr. 

ed  near  its  onlraiice  into  the  lake,  at  ilie  cabins  ol  some  lish- 
crmiMi  w  Ih),  as  alterwards  appeared,  were  in  the  employment 
of  the  British  ;  hut  its  ol)striu'ti()n  was  ncirh'cted  or  lorf^olten. 
On  the  22(1,  <];uiiletl  l»y  these  lisheriiien,  a  division  ol  the  ene- 
my nnder  frcneral  Keane,  uhich  had  been  transported  thither 
in  'ooals,  came  suddenly  upon  the  American  gmird,  and  took 
them  pri^oners.  I'y  lour  o'chx  k  in  the  morning  ol"  the  23d, 
they  rea(rlu'd  the  c(jinmence/nent  of  \  illcre's  canal,  near  the 
head  of  the  bayon.  There  they  disijmhaiked  and  rested  some 
hours  ;  after  which,  a<,rain  proceeding,  by  two  o'clock,  P.  M. 
they  reached  the  bank  ol"  the  Mississippi.  General  Villcre's 
house  was  immediately  surrounded,  as  was  also  that  of  his 
neighbour,  colonel  iia  Konde  ;  but  this  ollicer,  as  well  as  major 
Villere,  was  so  fortunate  as  to  ellect  his  escape,  and  hastened 
to  iiead  quarters,  to  commuincale  intelligence  of  the  approach 
of  the  enemy. 

'i'he    commander-in-chief,    on    receiving    tliis    information, 
instantly  resolved  on    the  oidy   course   to   be   jMirsued,  which 
was,withoi't  tlu;  loss  of  a  moment's  time,  to  attack  tire  enemy. 
In  one  hour's  time,  (-'oll'ee's  rillemen,  stationed  al)ove  the  city, 
were  at  the;  plac(>  of  rendezvous,  the  b.iltalion  of  major  Plauche 
had  arrived  from  the  bayou,  and  the  regulars  and  city  volunteers 
were  ready  to  march.     By  six  o'«dock  in  the  evening,  the  dif- 
ferent corps  w<!r(!  united  on   Rodrigue's  canal,  six  miles  below 
the    city.      The   schooner  ('aroliiic,  captain    Henley,  bearing 
the  broad  pendant  of  commodore  Paiiersmi,  at  the  same  time 
dropped  down  the  river  ;  and  orders  were  given  to  lieutenant- 
rommandant 'I'hompson  to  follow  with  the  Louisiana.     General 
Collee's  command,  togetlier  with  captain  Beale's  rillemen,  was 
placed  on  the  extreme  left,  towards  the  woods  ;  the  city  volun- 
teers and  the  men  of  colour,  under  Plauche  and  Daquin,  both 
commanded  by  colonel  Uoss,  were  stationed  in  the  centre  ;  and 
to  the  right,  the  two  regiments  of  regulars,  the  Seventh  and 
Fourty-fourth  ;    while  the  artillery  and  marines,  under  colonel 
M'Rea,  occupied  the  road.     The  whole  force  scarcely  exceed- 
ed two  thousand  men.     'I'he  British  troops,  which  amounted 
to  three  thousand   men,  on  their  arrival  at  the  Mississippi,  in- 
stead of  pushing  directly  towards  the  city,  had  bivouacked,  with 
their  rijiht  resting  on  a  wood  and  their  left  on  the  river,  in  the 
full  conviction  that  the  most  dilliculi  part  of  the  enterprise  was 
already  achieved.     Coll'ee  was  ordered  to  turn  their  right  r.nd 
attack  them  in  the  rear;  while  general  Jackson  in  person,  witli 
the  main  body  of  the  troops,  assailed  them  in  front  and  on  their 
left:  a  lire  from  the  Caroline  was  to  be  the  signal  of  attack.     At 
half  past  seven  o'clock,  night  having  already  set  in,  the  action 


Jk 


Iffi 


HISTORY  OF  TOE  WAR. 


283 


Kf-Jlllls  nitlic  Itatlli' 


Jack^ 


nil  I'liriiiiip 


iml  lurtilics  liiiiisiir. 


)eanng 
ic  time 
tenant- 
jeneral 
n,  was 
volun- 
|n,  both 
'e  ;  and 
xh  and 
Icolouel 
ixceed- 
ounted 
pi,  iii- 
,,  with 
in  the 
Ise  was 
jilt  r.nd 
1,  with 
In  their 
Ik.    At 
action 


coiiinioniMnl  liy  a  rakii!t>'  hroatlsidt;  Ciom  the  schooner,  which 
was  (liicctcil  by  the  liirht  of  the  ciiciny's  lircs,  and  alloi-clcd  ihc 
firist  iniiniaiioM  of  \\u'.  approach  ol'  the  Anicrifans.  ('ollcc's 
men,  with  tlinir  tisual  inip(;tiiosity,  now  rushed  lo  the;  attack,  ai\d 
entored  the  British  catup  ;  whiU;  the;  troops  in  front  and  on  tlie 
ri<rht,  nnder  the  iinineihate  connnand  of  general  Jackson,  ad- 
vanced with  e(pial  ardour. 

'I'he  enemy  were  taken  hy  surprise,  and  althoiiLdi  llicy  soon 
cxtiiiijuished  their  tires  and  formed,  yet  order  was  i\ot  n-storcd 
before  several  huiuh-eds  of  them  had  been  killed  or  wounded. 
A  thick  foL*",  which  arose  shortly  afterward,  and  u  misunder- 
standing of  instructions  by  one  of  the  principal  ollicers,  produc- 
ing some  confusion  in  the  Aineiican  ranks,  .lackson  called  oil' his 
troops,  and  lay  on  the  held  that  niuht.  At  four  of  llu.'  following 
morninir,  he  l"ell  back  to  a  position  about  two  miles  nearer  the 
city,  where  the  swamp  ami  the  Mississi|)pi  approached  nearest 
to  each  other,  and  where,  ihereiore.  his  line  of  defence  would 
be  the  shortest  and  most  tenable.  In  liis  front  was  a  mill-race 
which  was  snpj)lu'd  Wiih  water  from  the  river.  The  Anu'rican 
loss  in  this  battle  w.  ■  twenty-four  killed,  amonir  whom  was 
coloiv'l  Lauderdale  ol'  Tennessee,  a  brave  soldier,  who  fell  much 
lamented;  one  hundred  and  iifieen  wounded;  and  seventy-four 
prisoners,  of  whom  were  many  (>f  the  principal  inhabitants  of  the 
city.  That  of  the  Uriiish  was  eslimaled  at  four  hundred  in  killed, 
wounded  and  missinir.  If  ji  was  tlu!  oijjiH't  of  fhe  American 
general  to  teach  his  adversaries  cauiion,  and  thus  reiartl  their 
advance,  he  fidly  sncceedetl;  for  during"  lour  davs,  tluiy  kept 
within   their  intrencliments,  conieniiniJ'  themselves  with  active 


preparatory    ocru|)atH>ns» 


They 


were    i)roi)abl 


y 


intluence( 


somewhat  to  suspend  the  immediate  tixeculion  of  their  intended 
movement  on  New  (.)rleans,  by  the  false  accounts  given  by 
their  i)risoners,  w  ho  slated  thai  the  American  force  amounted 
to  fifteen  thousand  men. 

Meanwhile  general  Jackson  set  to  work  immediately  to 
fortify  his  position.  This  he  etl'ccied  by  the  construction  of 
a  simple  breastwork,  extending  from  the  river  to  the  swamp, 
with  a  ditch  (the  miil-race  above  mentioned)  in  front.  To  ex- 
pedite these  works,  and  to  supply  the  place  of  earth,  of  which 
there  was  great  scarcity  owing  to  the  swampy  character  of  the 
ground,  an  extraordinary  t!xpedient  was  adopted.  Hales  of  cot- 
ton, brought  from  Mew  Orleans,  were  placed  upon  the  line, 
and  covered  with  earth  ;  and  of  such  materials  wa  ;  the  rampart 
formed.  As  the  enemy  were  still  aimoyed  by  the  Caroline  and 
the  Louisiana,  the  latter  havinir  joined  the  ft)rmer,  and  both 
being  prevented  from  escaping  up  the  river  by  a  strong  wind, 


^ 


284 


BI?ACKEi\Rinr.E'S 


Airairs  (il'tlic  ii-llioC  l)(  Tiiiilii  r.  Miilm'tJic  l.-i  olJ;iiiii;irv  ]t*\^. 


baltorics  wrro  coiislriicMctl  to  ntindv  (lit'in.     I'rdiii  (licsc,  on  (he 


27lli,  hoi  shot  wen?  thrown,  hv  which 


the  ( 


:ir(»hn('  wi'.s  set  on 


(irt!.     S!io  hlew  up, '.ihont  an  hour  ;il'icr  she  had  hccn  ahinuhmcd 


by 


her  (!row 


'I'ho   lionisiana  next  snstaiiicd  the  lire  of  ihcir 


balt(!ri('s,  until  she  was  in  iniiiiincnt  danirfr  of  >harinir  the  fate 


of  the  Oarolini!,      In  lo- 


lirr,  th(!  w  hou!  co-opcraiivi!  nava 


1 


forc(>  wouhi  hav(!  hcen  h)st  ;  l)ul  her  foiiiMian(h'r.  lieutenant 
']'honip<on,  alter  enconnteriiiL'"  many  ol'siaeles,  finally  suc- 
ceeded in  extrieaiinir  In'r  I'mm  her  jjerilous  .sitinition,  and  an- 
chorinLf  her  on  the  riiihl  llaiiic  of  L''<'iit'ral  Jackson's  position. 
After  tli(>  destruction  ol  liu;  Candine,  sir  Mdward  Packenhani, 
tli(!  Uritish  eoinniander-in-chief,  ha\in<i;  landed  lin;  main  hody 
of  his  army  and  a  sufilcient  train  of  aridh'ry,  superintended,  in 
person,  the  arranirenients  lor  atiackinir  the  Ann'rican  intreneh- 


ni 


(nits.      On  tlu!  liHt!'.,  he  advan;'.etl  up  the  li;vee,  a.s  the  nairow 


strip  lietween  tlu;  river  and  the  swamp  is  calletl,  with  tlie  in- 
tention of  drivinu"  Jacks(yn  into  the  citv  ;  and  at  the  distance  of 


lialf 


a  mile  cominence( 


I  tlu 


alta(dv   with   rocket 


ixnn 


hs 


aiK 


cannon.  When  he  came  wiliiin  reacii,  the  IfOiiisiana,  ami  the 
batteries  op.  tlu;  American  works,  opened  a  lire;  on  him  which 
was  very  destructiv  e.  At  the  end  of  S(!ven  hours,  dunnir  which 
he  made  no  attempt  at  a  nearer  app-roach  to  tlu'  American  line, 
the  Hritisli  general  relinquished  the  attack,  and  retiicd.  'J'he 
loss  of  the  Americans  was  seven  killed  and  ei<>ht  wounded, 
amonir  the  former  colonel  Henderson  of 'I'enness'.M! ;  that  of  the 
liritish  was  computed  at  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  twenty. 

On  the  morninjiT  of  the  1st  of  January  1815,  sir  l^dward 
I'ackenham  was  discovered  to  have  consirueted  haiteries  near 
the  American  works,  and  at  dayliijht  coninienccd  a  heavy  fire 
from  them,  which  was  well  retununl  hy  Jackson.  A  hold  attempt 
was,  at  the  sanu;  time,  made  tc  turn  the  left  of  the  Americans  ; 
but  in  this  the  enemy  were  completely  repulsed.  AI)out  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  lire  of  the   British  was  sile^iced  ; 


and,  aliandoninof  tlie  hatteries,  their  armv  retiirne( 


to  tl 


le  cami 


The  loss  of  the  Americans,  on  this  occasion,  was  eleven  killed 
and  twenty-three  wounded.  On  the  4ih,  general  .[ackson  was 
joined  hy  two  thousand  live  hundred  Kentuckians,  under  general 
Adair ;  and  on  the  (Uh,  the  British  were  reinforced  hv  <:eneral 


Ijambert,  at  the  head  of  a  reserve  of  four  th 


ousa.iul  men. 


'J'he 


British  force  now  amounted  to  litth;  sliort  of  iifteen  thousand 
of  the  linest  troops;  that  of  the  Americans  to  al)oiitsix  thousand, 
chielly  untried  militia,  a  considerahle  portion  unarmed,  and 
from  the  haste  of  their  departure,  badly  [)rovided  wiili  clothing. 
To  supply  those  who  were  without  weapons,  all  the  private 
arms  which  the  inhabitants  of  jXew  Orleans  possessed,  were 


TIISTOUY  OF  Till':  WAR. 


•285 


rositiiin  ufthn  Amcricui  Army Mi'iimralili:  Iliiitlc  ol  iIr-  h;Ii  tt'Jaiiuiiry, 


coUertod  ;  and  the  ladies  orrnpiod  llinnsrlvps  contiinially  in 
niakiiiir  ('l()ihiii;r  (or  ilioso  uIki  u;'r;'  in  wiint  of  it.  'I  he  mayor 
of  the  city,  Mv  CJirod,  was  particularly  active  at  this  trying 
moiiKMit. 

Tlu!  Hritish  ijonoral  now  prcjiarcd   for  a  serious  attempt  on 
the  American  works.      With  i^reat   iahoiir   iu;   had   com|.leied, 

to   tl 
hid 


on   the   7lh,  a    water  communication    from   the 


swamp 


ic 


M 


the  t 


ississi|)pi,    li\-  widenmii'  ami   (UM'|it'iiinir   tlie  cimal   on 


d 


w 


roons 


had 


oriLMuallv  elleclcd   their  (liseml)ar!\ation 


lie 


was  thus  euahled    to   transjxul  a   mimlier  of  his  l)oats   to   tlio 


river. 


It 


was   his  inteiitM)n  to   make  a  simultaneous  aitaclc  on 


tlic  main  f(MTe  of  ircneral  .laekson  on  the  left  l)ani\,  and,  eross- 


in<T  tl 


le  river,  on    the  iioops  and    I'oriilications  which   deCeiu 


led 


the  riiiht  hank.  The  u'orks  of  the  American  Lrcucral  (»n  tlie 
left  hank  of  the  river,  were  hv  this  time  completed.  His 
front  was  a  hreastwork  of  ahoiit  a  mile  hmir,  exteiuiinj''  from 
the   river  into   tl'.e   swamp,  till   it  Ix-cainr  iirpassaMe,  and  for 


the  last  two  hundicnl  vafds  takiiiL""  a  turn  to  (he  left.    T 


le  w 


hoi 


was  defcmifd  hv  upwards  of  three  thousand  infaiitrv  ;ind  arlil- 


erists. 


•j'l 


le  (litch  contained  live  leet  water;  an 


dtl 


le  irrouiKl  in 


front,  haviiiL'' lieen  lloo(h'd  hv  water  introduced  from  the  river  and 


by 


lr( 


rpient  rains,  was  slippery  and  muddy 


Ei'dU  distinct  hat- 


teries  were  judiciously  disposed,  mountiiiir  in  all  twelve  <;uns 
of  diilerent  calibres.  On  the  opposite  siih;  of  the  river,  there 
was  a  stronir  hatiery  <»f  lii'teon  lmiiis,  and  the  intrenchments 
which  had  been  er(!ci(  «!  wcie  occupied  hy  jjeneral  .Mor<fan, 
with  some  Louisiana  militia,  and  a  strong  detachment  ol'  Ken- 
tucky troops. 

On  th.'!  memorahle  mor;iin<r  of  the  8ih  of  .Tanuarv,  jreneral 
Packenham,  havinir  detacluMl  colonel  'J'hornton  with  a'  least 
live  hundred  men,  to  attack  the  worlds  on  the  riirhl  hank  of  the 
liver,  moved  with  his  whole  lorce,  in  two  columns  commanded 
by  major-jifener;  Is  (Jihhs  and  Keane.  Tlu;  riL'"ht  and  ])rincipal 
division,  uiuler  the  former  of  these  oHiccrs,  was  to  attack  the 
eeiilre  of  the  works,  'i'he  British  deliberately  advanced  to  the 
assault  in  solid  c.dumns,  over  the  even  |)lain  in  front  of  the 
American  intrenchments,  the  men  carrvinji,  besides  their  mus- 
kets, fa.Ncines  made  ol"  suuar  cane,  and  some  of  them  ladders. 
A  dead  silence  prevailed  until  they  approached  within  reach 
of  the  batteries,  when  rn  incessant  and  destructive  cannonade 
commenced.  Notwiihstandiiii^  this,  they  continued  to  advance 
in  toleralile  oriler,  closini^  up  their  ranks  as  fist  as  they  were 
Oj)ened  by  tlie  lire  of  the  Anunicans,  until  they  came  within 
reach  of  the  muscpietry  and  rides,  when  such  dreadful  havock 
was  produced,  that  they  were  instantly  thrown  into  the  utmost 


! 


280 


lMlA('KENRinc;F/S 


Haiili'  (iftho  Kth  iifJur 


. Dnitli  olMJriirral  I'lu  kriiluirn. 


confusion.      Ni.'vcr    \v;;s   then!   so    trcnx'ndoiis   a   (iro   as    tlial 


k('I)t 


tl 


pt  up  Irotn  tli(^  AnicrKMii  lines 


It 


was  a  coniinntid  sir<!ani 


lo.si;  i)(:liin(l,  loailin^  lor  iIm-  men  in  Iront,  and  (Mial)lin<r  litem  to 


i'lri)  witli  scarcely  an  iniernii»ioii.  'J'iie  l'riii>li  cohiinns  were 
literally  swept  awav  :  liiiiidreds  lei!  at  every  discliarue.  lirokon, 
dispersed,  disliearlened,  ilicy  retreated.  Tin!  most  active  (tllorts 
were  m;id(!  to  rally  them.  (Jeiieral  l*a(  Uenliani  was  killed  in 
iVont  t)l  his  troops,  animating  them  hy  his  preM-nee  and  example  ; 
and  prohahly  not  less  than  a  thousand  men,  dv.u\  and  wonmh.'d, 
were  lyinic  Ix'side  him.  (ictnerals  (iihhs  and  Keane  siieci't-ded 
in  l)rin;,Mnt,^  them  nj)  aL''aiu  ;  hut  the  second  approach  was  more 
fatal  th  in  the  lirst.  'j'he  contiiuicd  roll  of  the  AnK.'rican  lire  re- 
sembled peals  of  ihnnd(!r ;  it  was  such  as  no  troops  could  with- 


slaiul 


Tl 


le  advaneiii)^'  cnl'.iiiiiis    atiain    hroke 


a    lew  olaioons 


reaidiini^  the  eil^'e  of  the  ditch.  oid\'  to  meet  certain  destriietion. 
An  imavailinij;  altemi;!  was  made  to  lead  tiiem  to  the  attack  a 
third  time  hy  their  oliicers,  whose  oallantry,  on  this  occasion, 
deserved  a  heltei  late,  in  a  heiier  e,iii>e.  (Jenerals  (Jihhsi  and 
Keane  wcr''  cairied  liom  the  lleld,  tlu;  hitler  se\crelv,  the   for- 


mer mortalls'  woiiiku.' 


Tl 


le   narrow   liehl  ol   strite  between 


the  British  and  the  Aiiu'rican  lines  was  strewed  with  ilead. 
JSo  dr(Mdl'ii!  a  earmiire,  ennsideriiiLi'  tlie  length  of  time  ami  the 
iiumlxM's  en<^a<re(|,  has  seldom  been  recorded  :  two  ihoiisanil, 
at  the  lowest  estimate,  jue.-sed  ihe  earlli,  besides  such  of  the 
■wounded  as  were  not  able  to  escape.  'J'he  li>ss  of  the  Ameri- 
cans did  not  exceed  seven  killed,  and  six  woimdeil.      Alditarv 


annab 


s  do  not  luriiish  a  more;  exiraiu'dinary  iiisnuice  ol  disparity 
in  the  slain,  between  the  \ieinrs  and  vampiished.  'i'he  de- 
cided advantaue  of  the  Americans,  which  nr.iy  be  aeknow- 
le(l<:ed  without  detracting'  from  their  praise,  ir'i\e  to  the  conduct 
of  the  enemy  mor(^  ol' the  chaiMcter  <»l  madness  than  o(  valour. 
Uy  the  fall  of  ii'eiiei'al  i'ackrnliam,  the  command  de\olved  on 
general  liamlxrt,  who  was  the  (tidy  ;;eneral  ollicer  left  upon  the 
field,  and  to  whom   had   been  eonsiLined   tlu;  idiafu;e  of  the  re- 


serve, lie  met  the  disc<imlited  tro(>i)s  m  their  Ib^bl,  and,  being 
unable  to  reston;  the  fortune  of  da\ .  withdrew  them  from  the 
reach  of  tlu;  nfnns,  and  finally  IViuii  llie  fadd   of  battle, 

In  the  meantime,  the  detachment  under  colonel  Thornton 
sncceeded  in  landiiiir  on  tln^  rinht  bank  of  the  river,  and  imme- 
diately atta(d\etl  the  intreiudimeiits  of  ii<'neral  .MorLi^an.  'J'he 
American  rii^ht.  beinir  oniilanked,  abaudonetl  its  position,  'i'he 
left  maintaineil  its  irrouiid  for  some  tiuu!  ;  but,  lindiii}^  itself 
deserted  by  the  rinhl  ami  outnnmb(>red  by  the  eiuMuy,  spiked 
its  guns,  and  also  retired.  In  the  course  of  the  contest,  colonel 
Thornton  was  severely  wounded,  and  the  command  of  the  13ri- 


HISTORY  OF  Tin:   WAR. 


867 


,lliitiiliiir:liii<'iif  of  I'lirt  St  riiilip. 


ks  hiooM  ;is  llicsc  ilis;isiers 


I.iiui.iiana  cvncii     ^'il  tiy  tin-  Itriiish 

lish  devolved  on  rnloiiel  (iiil)l)iiif 

were  in;\(le  known  to  trcneinl  Jackson,  In.'  pn'irircd  to  throw 

rcinrori'enu'nls  iicros.s  the  river,  to  (Ush)dL^e  the  <'iieMiy,     This 

measure  was  n'ndercd  unnecessary,  however,  l)y  their  \(ihnuary 

retreat  across  th(!   river,   in  ohedieiice  to  the  oriier  of  i;(fneral 

Lambert. 

On  the  !)ih,  freneral  Laniherl  (leiirmiiud  to  relincpiish  the 
hopelcsH  cnlerpiise  ;  and  iininediiiiely  eoniiueiieed  the  necessary 
p  'eparations,  which  w  ere  cniuhicti  d  \\  ith  linat  secrecy.  It  was 
)K)t  until  the  nii[l.t  of  the  iHih,  however,  that  the  I'rilish  camp 
was  entirely  evacuated.  I'rom  tin?  nalurc;  of  the  country,  and 
the  redouhts  which  the  enemy  iiad  erectt d  to  cover  their  retreat, 
it  \vas  deemed  unadvisahle  to  pursue  them.  'I"he\  left  eiiihtof 
tlieir  wounded,  :uid  lourt(>en  pieces  o|'  artillery,  behind  them. 
Returniriii   bv   ilu;   same    route    alouL''  which   so  short   a  lime 


bef< 


ore  lliev  liai 


lad 


vanee( 


1  witi 


1  hoj)e  anil  ('(uiiiili  nee,  ihey  reaeii 


cd  the  Heel  without  amioN  ance 


'i'h 


leir  loss  ni  Itiis 


fatal 


ex 


n>n  was  iuiukmisi! 


lU 


tl 


esnies  iiieir  jicneiais   and  a  mimi)er  o 


pc- 
f 


dit 

valuable  olllcers,  their  force  Mas  (liniini.-h(;d  bv  at  least  three 


tl 


lousand   men 


It 


was  undertaken  too  at  a  tinu-  when  peace 


unknown  to  them,  had   been  ;icin;illv  eon(  ludcd  ;   and   its  suc- 


cessful issue  iheri'lore  could  have 


led  U 


)  m)  permanent  resu 


lis. 


Commodore  I'atK  rson  despatched  five  boats,  under  Mr 
Shields,  purs(n'  on  the  ISew  Orleans  station,  in  order  to  annoy 
the  retreat  of  the  IJriiisli  fleet.  'I  his  ;iciiv(!  and  spirited  ollicer 
succeeded  in  cai)turing  several  boats  and  taking  a  number  of 
prisoners. 

The  Dritish  licet  on  tlio  coast  w:is  not  inactive  duriiii""  these 
operations.  It  was  imended  that  a  stpia.dron  should  enter  the 
Mississippi,  ami,  reducinir  llif  works  at  Fort  St  niili|),  ascend 


tl 


le  river,  and  co-operate  m  the 


ittack 


on 


N 


ew 


Orle 


nis. 


)om 


bardmenl  of  the  fort  commenced  on   the   llili  of  .la 


nu 


an 


d  w 


IS  continiu't 


1  with 


I  more  or  less  activity   lor  eiy 


hi  di 


The 
try 


At  the  ami  of  this  time,  the  enemy,  finding  ihey  had  made  no 
serious  imj)ression,  dropped  down  t!ie  river,  and  j;ut  to  sea. 
The  fort  was  garrisoned  and  bravely  maintained  by  three  hun- 
dred and  sixty-six  men  utiiler  the  eommaiul  of  major  Overton. 
Great  rejoicing  took  place  throuiihout  the  Inited  {Stales, 
anil  especially  in  New  Orleans,  in  citnseijiunce  of  il;eso  events 


and  everv  lionou 


r  was  bestowed  upon  the  eommander-in-( 


•liief. 


It  is  to  Ije  regretted,  iiowever,  that  spine  un])lr;is;int  occurrences 
(the  merit  of  which  it  is  not  within  the  jdaii  of  this  work  to 
discuss)  tended  to  alloy  the  brilliancy  of  success.  AVlielher 
these  are  to  be  ascribed  to  the  use,  or  abuse  of  martial  law,  we 
will  leave  to  others  to  determine. 


! 


288 


IHlACKKNIlIDnr/S 


Di'prf'ilaiidiHfif  Ailiiilral  (.'ncklMirn IVncf 'rmiisdrihr  'I'rraly, 


Wl 


iilc    tlicsi!    lilooily    allairs    transpired  on  llio 


Mis  si 


ssippi, 


admiral  ('(iclvlnirii  was  pursiiini;  a  inure  lucr.ilivf  and  less  dan- 
prorons  warfai't'  alon;;  llic  coast  of  the  (/'aroliiias  mid  (tt'or^^na. 
He    took    pl)sse^si(ln    (d'    (Jninl)erland    island,    and    ineiiaeiiig 


Cliarlesldji  and  Savaiinali,  sent  oiil  (letacliinenls  winch  met 
with  varions  snecess  ;  hnl  his  (diici  and  more  inleresiinir  mccii- 
patidii  was  j)lnnderinix  ilio  inhal)itants  ol'  liie  |)»-(;dii('ts  el'  the 
soil,  and  of  their  inereliandi/e  and  household  I'nriiitnre.  'i'hc 
loiters  of  f<oino  of  his  ollieers  to  their  eoinpaiuons,  which  were 
iiU€rc«'[)ted,  displayed  the  sj)iril  of  petty  and  dishononralilo 
cupidity  and  plunder  hy  which  ihes(!  i,fentleinen  were  actuated. 
'J'Ik!  most  usual  lojdcs  of  these  epistles  were  the  amount  and 
sp(!cies  of  jtlumler  whi(di  they  procured  ;  and  desks,  looking 
fflasses,  hurcaus  and  cotton  l)ales  were  exiiltiniiiv  einiineratcd, 
as  if  lli(;y  had  heen  the  ultimate  and  j^hirious  end  of  war. 

'J'Ik;  nionientous  intelliir(!iico  of  the  deleat  of  the  British  at 
New  Orleans,  had  scarcely  ceased  to  operate  upon  the  feelin^rs 
of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  when  they  received  ilic 
welcome  n(!ws  of  peace,  if  llu;  declaration  of  war  ifave  rise, 
at  the  time,  to  jiartial  rejoicinir,  the  announcement  of  its  ter- 
juination  was  celehrated  with  a  pUiasure  that  was  universal. 
Peace  was  procdaimed  hy  the  president  on  the  18lh  of  Febru- 
ary 181.');  and  not  lon<r  afierwards,  a  day  of  thanks<iiving  to 
the  Alininhty  was  set  apart  throiiii;iioiit  the  nation,  hy  the  same 
autlun-ity,  for  its  hiessed  restoration. 

The  treaty  was  concluded  on  the  2]tli  of  Decendier  1814,  at 
Ghent,  hy  Inril  (Jauihier,  Henry  (ioidi)iini  and  \\  illiain  Adams, 
on  the  part  of  (ireat  Britain  ;  and  hy  .lohn  l^niucy  Adams,  .fames 
A.  Bayard,  Henry  Clay,  .Jonathan  itussel  ami  Albert  Ciallalin, 
on  behalf  of  the  United  States.  It  stipulated  a  mutual  restora- 
tion of  all  places  and  possessions  taken  during  the  war,  or  which 
mi^ht  be  taken  after  the  siuning  of  the  treaty.  It  further  de- 
clared that  all  captures  at  sea  should  be  reliiuiuished,  if  made 
twelve  days  thereafter,  in  all  parts  of  the  American  coast  from 
the  twenty-third  to  the  fifiieih  degree  of  north  latitude,  as 
far  east  as  thirty-six  d(,'grees  of  longiludo  west  from  (Greenwich  ; 
thirty  days  thereafter,  in  all  other  parts  of  the  Atlantic  north  of 
the  ecpiaior;  the  same  Www.,  iur  the  British  and  lri^ll  Channels, 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  the  West  Indies  ;  forty  days,  for  the 
North  Seas,  the  Bailie,  and  all  parts  of  the  Mediterranean; 
sixty  days,  for  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  south  of  the  etpiator,  as  far 
as  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  ;  ninety  days,  for  every  other  part  of 
the  world  sf)uth  of  the  eiiuator;  and  one  hundred  anil  twenty 
days,  for  all  oilier  parts  wilhout  exception.  It  was  further 
agreed  that  the  parties  should  mutually  put  a  slop  to  Indian 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


280 


;bru- 


:ili  of 
Inels, 
Ir  the 

lean ; 
U  far 
irt  of 
lenty 
rlher 
Idian 


TiriMH  of  till'  'I'riiity  of  Pcrirr rmirlusion. 

hostilities,  and  use  their  l)cst  endeavours  to  cxlinjruisli  tlie  traffic 
in  slaves.  But  niueh  the  greater  part  of  the  treaty  related  to 
thr  atljuHtnient  of  the  boundaries  between  the  Hriii-sh  possess- 
ions and  those  of  the  United  States,  which  had  been  iinperfedl}' 
adjusted  by  tne  treaty  of  17H.'i.  The  suljjeels  of  impressment, 
of  paper  blockade  and  of  orders  in  council,  and  the  rights  of 
the  neutral  flag,  were  passed  over  without  notice. 

Tlius  terminated  an  eventful  war  of  two  years  and  eight 
months,  or,  as  it  is  commonly  called,  three  years.  It  is  related 
of  the  wise  Franklin,  that,  hearing  some  one  term  our  first 
war  with  Great  Britain,  the  war  of  independence,  he  reproved 
him  :  *♦  Sir,"  said  he,  "  you  mean  of  the  revolution  ;  the  war 
of  independence  is  yet  to  come."  Tiiat  war  is  now  over  ; 
and  every  hope  on  the  part  of  (ireat  Britain  to  bring  us  back  to 
the  state  of  colonies,  has  (led  for  ever.  By  the  seizure,  during 
peace,  of  a  thousand  of  our  merchantmen  and  of  seven  thou- 
sand of  our  fellow  citizens,  she  drove  us  into  a  war  with  her; 
whereby  two  thousand  of  her  merchantmen  were  lost,  and  many 
millions  added  to  the  sum  ol'  her  already  imnu'nse  national  debt. 
Still  more  :  the  frequent  captures  of  her  public  vessels,  by  the 
ships  of  our  small  but  gallant  navy,  have  established  the  j)ainful 
truth,  that  she  has  an  equal  on  the  ocean.  We  h.ave  at  last  in- 
duced her  to  treat  ms  with  respect;  and,  into  whatever  jiortion 
of  the  globe  his  fortune  may  lead  him,  an  American  may  now 
own  his  country  with  pride.  We  have  no  wish  to  be  otherwise 
than  on  terms  of  friendship  with  Great  Britain.  We  have  a 
common  origin,  a  common  language,  institutions  nearly  similar, 
and,  to  use  the  elegant  language  of  iMilton,  we  draw  light  from 
the  same  fountain.  Should  she  ever  need  a  friend,  notwith- 
standing the  past,  she  will  find  a  sincere  one  in  the  United 
States  of  North  America. 

To  us  the  war  is  pregnant  with  important  lessons.  We 
have  acquired  a  knowledge  of  our  weakness  and  of  our 
strength.  We  have  been  taught  that  our  best  policy  is  hon- 
ourable peace,  and  the  preference,  in  our  intercourse  with  all 
nations,  of  justice  to  profit.  We  have  been  taught,  and  the 
lesson  is  worth  the  sum  we  paid  for  the  war,  that  we  are  weak 
in  conquest,  but  sufliciently  strong  for  defence. 


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'X  COLLOTS  LNTERLLNEAR 

French  Readkr. 

In  this  liotik  the  pupil  (aided  by  an  intfr- 
linciir  liti'ial  ami  rrcctraTislalionj  is  earned 
tliniiii.'li  a  series  ot'  lessons,  w  liieli,  heirin- 
nilii.'  w  illi  the  simplest  lalihs,  proei  ed  liv 
eas\  ]ir"i:ress\(in  to  sfdections  iVoni  the 
limst  I'rosi'  writers  in  the  l"renrh  Ian- 
mil. lie.  l"niidam(MiI;d  rules,  to  wliicii  I'n- 
ipient  rel'erL'iire  is  niiide  in  the  text,  are 
plared  in  lYont  otthit  volume,  ami  are  re- 
ipiired  to  he  committed  to  memor\  ;  \\  hile 
loot  not(>s  jiive  the  literal  mianinL' "f  all 
sn'  !i  words  in  the  text  as  cannot  he  ren- 
dcHMl  literally  into  English  sense.  As  the 
pupil  advances,  th(;se  helps  are  i;radnall\ 
withdrawn,  so  that  a  thoronnh  knowledi;e 
of  all  that  has  ])receded  is  nnavoidal)l>-  re- 
ipiisite  to  a  competent  rehearsal  olhis  les- 
s(ni.  In  -No.  4  of  this  t-eries,  this  |)lan  is 
still  further  developed. 

4.  COLLOTS  PRONOUNC 
iNfi  Fkv.nch  Ri  adf.r. 

This  work  will  contain  a  system  of  Pro- ! 
nnnciation  which  is  entirely  new,  and 
sincularlx  simple  and  eil'ettive.  It  is  the 
resiilt  of  years  of  experience  and  slnd>  . 
In  addition  to  this,  the  course  of  readiiiL' 
in  the  Interlinear  lleader  is  still  further 
advanced,  hy  a  provressive  selection  iVom 
the  nn>st  classical  of  the  Frem  h  I'oets  ; 
in  the  translation  of  which  the  pupil  is 
aided  hy  notes  which  luierly  explain  the 
poetJciil  expressions  and  dillicult  plirases. 

These  four  volumes,  in  conjunction  -vith 
the  Granun.i,',  are  aiuple,  in  the  autlmr's 


opinion,  for  the  acquisition  of  llie  service- 
al)le  accomplishments  of  trritiiiir,  speakiiii^' 
and  rriidiiiir  i\u:  riencli  languaue. 

5.  COLLOT'S  PROGRESS- 
ivK  Frkn(  Jt  Grammar. 

'J'hi^  (irammar  will  he  formed  on  the 
hasis  of  Levi/.ac's  (irammar.  It  will,  as 
much  as  possihie,  pursue  the  inductive 
|dan  :  and  will  contain  every  improvement 
ami  facility  which  tiie  modern  Fremh 
idiilosophical  grammarians  ha\'e  sn<.'!.'ested 
— to  the  exilusion  of  lar'.'e  iiuantiiies  of 
till'  useless  matter  with  which  nearly  all 
Frem  h  L'raminars  are  intuinhered. 

RECOMMENDATION. 

"  Professor  Collot's  method  is  a  L'ooif 
one,  and  has  heen  successfully  practised 
hy  tiie  author  and  other  eminent  Teachers 
in  this  city.  1'he  liooks  published  are 
extensively  used  here.  They  should  he 
Known  and  appreciated  where\(r  I'rench 
is  lanuht  in  tht;  country. —  T/ifSr/invtinu^- 
tfr,  ^Plidudvliiliia)  cilitn/  hij 

JOII.V  FIl'tsT, 
\V.   It.  .lOll.NSO.V, 

.1.  y\.  KKAta  , 
\V.  RIS,<i;i,L, 

J.  1!.  ^VALKl;l{." 


EVENINGS  AT  HO^H:  :  con- 
sisting of  a  Variety  of  Miscellaneous 
Pieces  for  the  Instruction  and 
Amusement  of  Young  Persons.  In 
2  vols,  fancy  cloth,  or  in  1  vol. 
morocco,  If^mo.  Illustrated  by  lOU 
Enofavings. 

Tins  (  xcellent  Work  is  now  fully  intro- 
duced into  schools,  and  forms  an  eleL'ant 
and  most  ai>propriatei)resent  to  the  ^'ounir. 

"F.veniuL's  at  Home  sho'  I  lind  a  place 
in  every  S(  Imol  Library.  JN'o  other  ju- 
venile iiook  can  be  found,  wliicii  (om- 
prises,  in  tiie  same  space,  such  a\ariety  td" 
intormation,  so  admirabl)'  adapted  to  liie 
capacities  and   tastes   of   the   VoiuiLi."" — 

F.s^lUIS  (III   SlIllHll  h'l  I  jlilltr, 

",\  work  of  tir.-l  rate  merit."— .V/-.s  Cliil'l. 


ELEMENTS  OF  CJEOMETIIV, 
with  Practical  ap])lications  for  the 
use  of  Schools.  Ry  7'.  WAtKv.K. 
late  Teacher  of  Mathematics,  Sec, 
Massachusetts.  Third  edition,  1 
vol.  ]'2mo,  with  numerous  jjlates. 

"  Till'  author's  plan  is  siiiiph'  aiol  natu- 
ral ;  his  explanations  are  clear  ;  hisoriiiinal 
deinoiistratiiuis  are  iuL'eni<ius;  and  his 
illustratiiuis  easy  and  familiar,  lie  has 
condensed  into  a  duodecimo  more  L'eo- 
metrii'al  truth  than  we  had  supposed  it 
possible  to  hriiiL'  into  so  narrow  limits,  and 
all  that  is  essential  to  be  t.iuiiht  in  ordi- 
nary mathem.ttical  instruction." — A'vi-t/i 
.■iiiicricun  Hecirir,  Builtm. 


and 


